Mike Evans Contract Ripped by NFL Exec, 49ers 'Sign Hurt Players' in Free Agency

Even though the San Francisco 49ers were widely praised for having one of the best free-agent classes in the NFL, it was not a unanimous opinion based on at least one league executive's comments.

An anonymous NFL executive explained to The Athletic's Mike Sando the 49ers "sign hurt players" to criticize their signings of Mike Evans and Dre Greenlaw.

"Everyone starts talking about the substation and, 'Why are we always hurt?'" the exec said. "It's because you sign hurt players. Mike Evans is going to miss 4-6 games this year, Dre Greenlaw is going to miss eight and you are going to wonder why your players are always hurt.'

We received confirmation this week from 49ers general manager John Lynch that an independent scientist determined the substation isn't secretly destroying the ligaments of anyone in close proximity to it.

As to the main point from the executive, it's not an unfair criticism to say that the 49ers added older players with extensive injury histories in free agency.

Evans, who will turn 33 on Aug. 21, has missed 12 games over the past two seasons. He missed a total of nine games in his first 10 seasons from 2014 to '23.

Greenlaw has played 10 games over the past two seasons. He has only played 10 games three times in his first seven years in the NFL.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Evans or Greenlaw missed time again in 2026, but the reason that the 49ers were lauded for the moves they made is because there's very little financial risk involved.

Evans' deal was initially reported as a three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million, but the details show it's really a one-year, $14.3 million commitment that the 49ers could get out of after the season if it doesn't work out.

Greenlaw's one-year deal includes a $2.6 million base salary and various incentives, including per-game bonuses for when he is active, that could add $1.6 million.

The 49ers entered the offseason knowing they needed to add at least one wide receiver with Jauan Jennings becoming a free agent and Brandon Aiyuk not expected back.

Evans fits the role that San Francisco needs as an outside X receiver whose success on a per-route basis last season compares favorably to Aiyuk's All-Pro year in 2023.

There might be times when Evans isn't available due to injuries, but at the price the 49ers were able to get him, it's hard not to take the shot when they have to play in the same division as the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.