The San Francisco 49ers made a statement Monday, when the NFL negotiating window opened, with the signing of six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans.
With numerous injuries and poor receiver play last season, the 49ers needed to address the position, and they did just that with Evans, a receiver who had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career before an injury-riddled 2025 season.
LeSean McCoy Discusses Mike Evans’ 49ers Contract
The NFL league year did not officially begin until today, but the league’s negotiating window opened Monday to allow teams to begin discussing deals with free agents.
Teams are not supposed to be in contact discussing deals with unrestricted free agents prior to the NFL’s negotiating period, also known as the legal tampering period.
However, two-time Super Bowl champion running back LeSean McCoy may have exposed the 49ers for doing exactly that when he spoke on the “Speakeasy Podcast” on Wednesday.
“Mike Evans is definitely the piece they need over there,” McCoy said of the 49ers’ free agent signing. “I was actually at his house Saturday, and we were talking about free agency. He didn’t tell me he was going to the Niners, (but) he was like, ‘Yo, there’s a great possibility I’m going to the Niners.
“He was like, ‘I like ’em.’ Another thing he talked about is I’m gonna have a lot of space and opportunity to work.”
LeSean McCoy says he was at Mike Evans’ house on Saturday, and Evans told him there’s a “great possibility” he ends up with the #49ers
“He said he likes them. Another thing he talked about is that he’d have so much space and opportunity to work.”
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McCoy said the conversation with Evans occurred Saturday, two days before the negotiating period began. If Evans and the 49ers communicated about a contract before Monday, that could constitute a violation of legal tampering rules.
The NFL revised the legal tampering rule in 2026, allowing teams to hold a phone or video call with up to five free agents for a maximum of one hour, provided the player’s certified agent participates.
If a violation occurred, the team could face fines and the loss of a draft pick. For example, the Atlanta Falcons were penalized a fifth-round pick and fined after violating the rule in their signing of Kirk Cousins.
Despite the possible violation, McCoy said he liked Evans’ fit in San Francisco.
“They run the ball so well over there, right? You talk about Kittle, you talk about McCaffrey. (Evans’) gonna get so many one-on-one opportunities,” McCoy said. “He’s a big body. Brock Purdy, just throw it up. Mike Evans still can play. He’s still in good shape, right? He’s about 225 right now. He’s in good shape. He’s locked in and loaded. I think it’ll be a good place for him.”
McCoy added that coach Kyle Shanahan will draw plays up for Evans, and the opportunities will be there.
“(Shanahan’s) gonna run the ball extremely well and he’s gonna play action, and Mike’s gonna get crazy, stupid busy,” McCoy said. “So I like that move for the Niners and for him.”
