The San Francisco 49ers hope their offense will be more lethal in the 2026 NFL season. Moreover, the Niners added veteran wideouts Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, who is returning for a second stint with the team.
Last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans played 252 pass snaps, leading to a 69.8 overall PFF grade. Moreover, he hauled in 30 receptions on 59 targets for 368 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
Evans also averaged 12.3 yards per reception and generated 33 yards after the catch. With the Niners having two veteran wideouts, Brock Purdy will be looking to take advantage of the new weapons he will have this season.
During his Aug. 21 appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Purdy spoke about the addition of Samuel and Evans, starting with the former Buccaneer.
“[Evans has] been awesome,” Purdy said. “Just another veteran presence. Just what he brings to the table with our receiving corps, and having him in that receiver room has been huge. It’s for guys to understand, like, dude, this is what it takes to be great. He goes out there and obviously is a threat anywhere on the field, but in the red zone, too, man.
“Just seeing what he can do, it’s another level that he brings to the offense down there, man. So I’m excited about that. But in general, he’s smart. He’s played with great quarterbacks in Tom Brady and Baker Mayfield. So I’m picking his brain on those things, too. I’m extremely happy that we got Mike.”
Brock Purdy on Deebo Samuel Returning to the Niners
During training camp, the 49ers chose to reunite with Samuel after Ricky Pearsall’s 2026 season ended before it even began. Last season with the Washington Commanders, Samuel played 713 total snaps, leading to a 69.4 overall PFF grade.
Furthermore, the veteran wideout hauled in 72 receptions on 99 targets for 727 receiving yards and five touchdowns while averaging 10.1 yards per reception and generating 471 yards after the catch. Purdy spoke about having Samuel back in the fold with the Niners.
“[Samuel] came right back into our offense, our system, at practice, and he’s done what he’s always done,” Purdy added. “He looks great. Strong hands and, obviously, the playmaking ability, man. I think for us, it’s putting him in the backfield, putting him out at receiver and everything.
“He can make plays at any moment. He’s one of our explosive players, and just the energy and vibes that he brings to our team, our locker room and out at practice. It’s like our guys are back. So, extremely happy to have Deebo back.”
George Kittle on 49ers Rookie De’Zhaun Stribling
Meanwhile, in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the 49ers also drafted wideout De’Zhaun Stribling, who is impressing during training camp and the preseason. Recently, George Kittle spoke to the media and highlighted one aspect of Stribling that has really impressed him throughout training camp and the preseason.
“I love what Stribling’s doing right now,” Kittle told reporters on Aug. 16. “My favorite thing about Strib is actually just his mindset every single day. Like, there’s no ego at all… He’s not sensitive whatsoever. He’s got the right mindset for everything. He shows up every day and I think he just works really, really hard.
“And that’s all I’ve heard about him, too. I’m not in every single meeting with him, but I’ve only heard great things about him. I think he has a chance to be a very, very good football player for us this year.”
49ers’ Brock Purdy Gives Strong Words on Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel