Mike Evans Announces New Jersey Number With 49ers

Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans ended his 12-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the conclusion of the 2025 season, signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Evans signed with the 49ers in hopes to compete for another Super Bowl title in the later stages of his NFL career.

“Even with all the injuries last year … I feel like they were one piece away,” Evans said after signing with San Francisco in March, via ESPN. “And I think that I am that piece. I look forward to coming here and proving that.”

Evans’ decision to join the 49ers comes with a notable sacrifice: the No. 13 jersey he’s worn for the entirety of his NFL career.

San Francisco’s franchise quarterback, Brock Purdy, wears the No. 13 jersey.

During an appearance with the “Real Ones” podcast hosted by his new 49ers teammate Fred Warner, Evans confirmed that he plans to wear the No. 5 jersey in 2026.

“I’m going to be No. 5,” Evans said. “That’s my high school football number, my little league number and my middle school number.”

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Evans first started wearing No. 13 during his collegiate career with the Texas A&M Aggies. He kept that number as he transitioned into the NFL ranks as the Buccaneers’ No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

With the No. 13 on his jersey, Evans recorded 13,502 yards and 108 touchdowns on 866 catches. The 32-year-old WR appeared in just eight games for Tampa Bay last season as he dealt with injury issues, ending his incredible streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

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Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson wore No. 5 for the 49ers last year and remains on the roster, meaning he agreed to hand the number over to Evans heading into the 2026 season.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 5:17 PM.