Mike Evans is turning back the clock for his new chapter in San Francisco. The future Hall of Fame wide receiver, who built a legendary career in Tampa Bay wearing the iconic No. 13, is switching digits for the 49ers. With quarterback Brock Purdy already holding No. 13, Evans revealed on teammate Fred Warner's podcast that he'll be wearing No. 5 for the 2026 season.
This isn't just any number—it's a full-circle moment. "That's my high school football number, my Little League number, and my middle school number," Evans shared, reconnecting with his roots from Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. Warner's enthusiastic response, "That's clean, boy. Old Mike Evans in the cinco," captured the excitement of the locker room.
The number change symbolizes a fresh start for the veteran entering his 13th season, especially after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign ended his historic streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard years. Teammate Christian McCaffrey has already praised Evans as a "first ballot Hall of Famer" who plays with a relentless edge, signaling high expectations for his impact in the Bay Area.
Interestingly, Evans' switch completes a unique aesthetic for the 49ers' receiving corps. With Christian Kirk in No. 3 and Ricky Pearsall in No. 1, the starting trio will all rock single digits—a stylish and coordinated look for one of the league's most anticipated offenses. It's a new number, but the same dominant target, ready to write the next chapter of his storied career.
