In the opening half, Evans totaled five receptions for 47 yards, bringing his career receiving yards to 13,099. This moved him past Hall of Famer Steve Largent for 20th on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list. At the start of the game, Evans sat at 13,052 yards, while Largent ended his career with 13,089.
The moment carried extra significance because Evans is in his first regular-season campaign with the 49ers after spending 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he established himself as the club’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. Evans, 33, joined San Francisco in the offseason, adding veteran experience and a proven track record of productive play.
The milestone also coincided with a unique stage for the NFL: the league’s first regular-season game held in Australia, with the 49ers and Rams kicking off the season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. For San Francisco fans, seeing a longstanding rival’s standing on the all-time list diminished in real time added extra satisfaction.
Entering the 2026 season, Evans began just behind Largent on the all-time list. Largent compiled 13,089 yards over 14 seasons with Seattle from 1976 to 1989. Evans started with 13,052 yards, needing 38 to leapfrog Largent—and he achieved that threshold before halftime.
Evans’ 47 yards pushed him to 13,099, moving him into 20th place. The next name ahead is Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed, who finished with 13,198 career receiving yards. Evans sits 99 yards behind Reed as the game progressed, meaning he could continue climbing the list if his early involvement with San Francisco’s offense continues.
This milestone adds to Evans’ already remarkable résumé. He posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 NFL seasons from 2014 through 2024, the longest such streak to begin a career in league history. He left Tampa Bay as the franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
Beyond the historical achievement, Evans quickly established himself as a major contributor to the 49ers’ offense. He targeted frequently in the passing game as San Francisco attempted to move the ball against its NFC West rival. By halftime, Evans was the 49ers’ leading receiver in both receptions and receiving yards, underscoring his immediate impact in his first game with the team.
Evans brings a different dimensionality to the 49ers’ receiving corps, offering size on the perimeter and in red-zone situations. At 6-foot-5, he provides a valuable target alongside other key playmakers. In his career, Evans has accumulated a high volume of receptions and touchdowns, contributing to his status as one of the league’s most prolific scorers.
At the start of the season, the 49ers’ depth chart listed Evans with 866 career receptions, 13,052 receiving yards, and 108 touchdowns. Those 108 touchdowns place him among the most productive scoring receivers in NFL history, and his early involvement in San Francisco’s offense suggested more milestones could follow.
With Evans already making an immediate impact in his first game with the 49ers, surpassing Largent could be only the beginning of a continued rise up the NFL all-time receiving yardage list as the season unfolds.
