Brock Purdy Admits He's Facing Pressure After 49ers Offseason Move
After losing Deebo Samuel during the 2025 offseason and publicly stating Brandon Aiyuk won’t play another snap with the organization, the San Francisco 49ers made several additions at wide receiver to help quarterback Brock Purdy.
The 49ers selected De’Zhaun Stribling in the second round of April’s draft and signed Christian Kirk in free agency, but the biggest headline was landing two-time All-Pro Mike Evans. Evans had spent his entire career in Tampa Bay after being drafted with the No. 7 pick in the 2014 draft.
During an interview with Laura Britt of NBC Sports, Purdy said he’s excited to have Evans on the team, but noted that the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback has high expectations after winning a Super Bowl with legendary quarterback Tom Brady. Purdy is facing pressure from his new teammate.
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“Just, like, being around him and his presence and understanding, you know, what it’s going to take to play with him,” Purdy said, via a transcription from NFL Media. “And just like honestly like, the good pressure that it brings, like, alright, ‘I have a guy that is demanding success and demanding to be great’ and I love that. I want to play with guys like that.
“Obviously, I’ve played with guys like that, George (Kittle) and Christian (McCaffrey) and all that. But to bring Mike in the fold now and be able to have a big target like he is, but how he sees the game and him breaking down routes that he’s run with Tom (Brady) and Baker Mayfield, and I’m like, ‘alright, like, this guy knows the ball.’ So, I’m really excited and as we go we’re just going to continue to build chemistry and it’s going to be good.”
Evans, 32, signed a three-year deal with the 49ers worth up to $42.4 million in free agency. Evans appeared in eight games last season due to multiple injuries, including a hamstring, concussion and a broken clavicle. He recorded 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns last season.
Evans will be a key piece on the roster that determines how far the team will go this season. The 49ers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card Round before being blown out by the Seattle Seahawks 41-6 in the Divisional Round.
The 49ers needed a receiver badly against the Seahawks, as Jauan Jennings was the top wide receiver in the loss, catching two passes for 23 yards.
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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 10:44 AM.