The 49ers didn’t need to take the field during their bye week to make a move in the NFC. Minnesota’s loss pushed San Francisco into the top seed, a jump that came without a snap being played. But the more eye-catching development this season has been the Brock Purdy-Mike Evans connection, which has taken off in 2026.
Evans had already flashed what this partnership can look like before leaving the game against Washington after a huge first half while dealing with Achilles tendonitis. He then missed the game in Atlanta, and that was the 49ers’ first loss.
Even so, the early chemistry between quarterback and receiver has been obvious from the start. Purdy’s ball placement and trust have been on display, while Evans has looked determined to show he’s still performing at a high level.
The production backs it up. Among QB/WR duos, the 49ers sit fourth in the league with a passer rating of 148.5.
They’re also fourth in EPA/play at +1.06. Purdy-to-Evans ranks fifth in yards per target at 13.2, and 25 of Evans’ 27 catches have gone for either a first down or a touchdown.
Pro Football Focus says Purdy has a big-time throw rate of 18,4% when targeting Evans, the second-highest mark in the NFL. Purdy has not thrown an interception on any attempt to Evans.
The numbers get even more detailed when you break down the situations. On early downs, the duo has 20 targets, a 53% target share, a 150.0 passer rating, 14.7 yards per target and +1.09 EPA. On later downs, they’ve logged 18 targets, a 47% target share, a 142.4 passer rating, 11.4 yards per target and +1.03 EPA.
Against pressure, Purdy has found Evans 12 times for a 32% target share, a 102.1 passer rating, 10.7 yards per target and +0.64 EPA. In a clean pocket, that jumps to 26 targets, a 68% target share, a 154.6 passer rating, 14.3 yards per target and +1.25 EPA.
The blitz numbers are especially striking. Against the blitz, Purdy has gone to Evans on 8 targets for a 21% target share, a 158.3 passer rating, 19.1 yards per target and +1.93 EPA. With no blitz, the pair has 30 targets, a 79% target share, a 128.1 passer rating, 11.6 yards per target and +0.83 EPA.
Play action has also been part of the mix. On play-action looks, they’ve connected on 5 targets for a 13% target share, a 118.8 passer rating, 15.2 yards per target and +1.18 EPA. Without play action, the numbers rise to 33 targets, an 87% target share, a 151.8 passer rating, 12.8 yards per target and +1.04 EPA.
The story the tape tells matches the stats. Evans has become the central piece of the 49ers’ offense, and the team’s push the rest of the way will depend heavily on keeping that connection rolling.
In Other News...
49ers Bye Week Could Put Several Current Roles In Jeopardy
The bye week often gives a coaching staff a chance to take stock, and for the 49ers it could mean a few crowded position groups get even tighter when they return. Several current roles appear vulnerable based on health and recent performance, with Colby among the players whose standing is under the microscope if his play does not pick up after the break.
Elsewhere, the ripple effect could hit Cowing, Valdez, Brown and White as the roster gets healthier and new pieces settle in. The bigger question is how much room there will be once the 49ers start sorting out snaps again, because some of these jobs may not just shrink, they could disappear from the weekly game plan altogether. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Have A Clear Path To The Top Seed If They Survive This Stretch
The 49ers head into the second half with the NFCs top spot in hand and a 6-1 record, but the schedule after the bye is where the real work begins. San Francisco still has a run of games that will demand attention from start to finish, including matchups with the Raiders, Cowboys and Vikings, and the margin for error gets thinner once the calendar flips into the stretch that tends to separate contenders from pretenders.
There is plenty of reason for the 49ers to feel good about where they stand, especially with the way the standings have broken in their favor so far. Still, the next phase is less about the record they already own and more about how they handle a series of opponents that can make life uncomfortable in different ways, from tricky venues to teams that have a history of making these kinds of late-season games matter. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Suddenly Linked To A Chargers Pass Rusher Fans Know Well
The Chargers rough season has pushed them toward the kind of trade-deadline posture that usually turns a roster into a conversation piece, and a few familiar names are already surfacing as possible chips. Khalil Mack and Donte Jackson have been mentioned in that mix, but the edge rush market also includes Tuli Tuipulotu, a young pass rusher whose situation naturally draws attention as teams start looking for help up front.
For the 49ers, this is the sort of deadline chatter worth monitoring closely because pass rush remains one of the leagues most valuable commodities. Tuipulotu is in the final year of his rookie deal, and with no extension in place, the Chargers may have a decision to make if the phone keeps ringing. San Francisco is among the teams reported to have interest, along with Dallas, but for now it remains one of those deadline threads that could move fast or fade just as quickly. [Read more 🡒]