Walker III & Evans Are on The Move with Big Contracts Awaiting Them

More NFL players are on the move. Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders sent Max Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in ab expected trade. This week we have seen Mike Evans head to the San Francisco 49ers while Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III will suit up for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026.

The 49ers picking up Evans is a solid move. Evans has signed a three-year deal worth $60.4 million according to agent Deryk Gilmore. 

They now have a wide receiver that will be able to stretch defenses and get the ball down field for quarterback Brock Purdy. Evans has been a solid receiver since being selected with the seventh overall pick of the 2014 draft by the Buccaneers. 

Evans has had much success in the league over the years playing in 176 regular season games. He has been a six-time Pro Bowl selection, two time all-pro and Super Bowl LV champion. 

Evans played in at least 14 games his first 11 seasons. Last season was a rough one for Evans. He missed 9 games due to multiple injuries including a broken clavicle during week 7 against the Detroit Lions. Evans finished the season with 30 receptions for 30 yards and three touchdowns. 

Evans is supposedly replacing Jauan Jennings who is searching for deals through free agency. The 49ers will also be without Brandon Aiyuk despite still being under contract even though he didn't play last season. 

The 49ers also saw tight end Kerry Kittles go down with a pretty bad torn Achilles against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 wild card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The weight of the passing game will be Evans at least for the start of the season. 

The Chiefs picking up Walker will solidify a sketchy running game as well as make them a dual threat offense. Don't plan on the Chiefs to stay down long. Last year was an offseason for one of the leagues most high-powered offenses. This is a team that is reloading so they can get back to playing in Super Bowls. Adding a solid durable running back like Walker is just what this team needed to drain clocks and pick up those short yards to extend drives. 

The Chiefs has reportedly signed Walker to a three-year deal reportedly worth in an upwards of $45 million making it the highest paid free agent running back deal in NFL history. 

Walker was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He really did not turn many heads until his only season with Michigan State where he carried the ball 263 yards for 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground in 12 games.

During four seasons with the Seahawks, Walker played in 58 regular season games where he carried the ball 821 times for 3,555 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also had 133 receptions for 1,005 yards and two touchdowns. 

2024 was a season where Walker dealt with injuries that limited him to only 11 games. He proved last season the injuries are behind him by playing in all 17 regular season yards, posting 1,000 yards on the ground and leading the Seahawks to a 24-19 Super Bowl win against the all-mighty New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. 

Both players should fit right in with their new teams. Even though Evans is switching coasts he will still be playing home games in a city by a bay with warm weather. Walker is heading to a cold and hard Kansas City. Similar to the crazy harsh winters in Seattle. Maybe a little colder and more frozen in KC but hey, for that kind of money and to play on that load Chiefs offense will be all worth the pain of cold.