Mike Evans trades his iconic No. 13 for a nostalgic No. 5, reconnecting with his childhood number for a new chapter in San Francisco.
The San Francisco 49ers’ offense is getting a facelift in 2026, and it isn’t just about the new faces. When future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans signed with the 49ers this offseason, fans immediately wondered how he would handle the "No. 13 problem." Having donned the number for his entire twelve year career in Tampa Bay and his collegiate tenure at Texas A&M, Evans found himself in a unique position because as we all know, the No. 13 is currently occupied by the 49ers' franchise quarterback, Brock Purdy.
In a recent appearance on the Real Ones: The League podcast, hosted by his new teammate Fred Warner, Evans put the rumors to rest. He will be moving to No. 5 for the 2026 season.
“I’m going to be No. 5,” Evans told a clearly hyped Warner. “That’s my high school football number, my Little League number, and my middle school number.”
Warner’s reaction was immediate: “That’s clean, boy. Old Mike Evans in the cinco.”
The move is a poetic return to his roots at Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. While NFL fans have become synonymous with seeing the 6'5" frame of Evans in the "unlucky" 13, the switch to No. 5 signals a fresh start for a player entering his 13th professional season. It also completes a unique aesthetic for the 49ers' receiving corps. With Christian Kirk confirmed to wear No. 3 and sophomore Ricky Pearsall donning No. 1, San Francisco will feature a starting trio consisting entirely of single digit playmakers and the other two together weirdly making up the “13” that Evans used to rock.
The excitement in Santa Clara is palpable. Christian McCaffrey recently voiced the locker room’s sentiment, calling Evans a "first ballot Hall of Famer" who plays with a persistent chip on his shoulder. Evans is looking to bounce back from a 2025 season where injuries limited him to just eight games, snapping his legendary streak of 11 consecutive 1,000 yard seasons.
"It was unfortunate, but it kind of gave me a second wind," Evans admitted. "I'm a little bit fresher than I have been in years past...I'm trying to use all the juice I've got."
By taking No. 5, Evans officially displaces Demarcus Robinson, who wore the number last season and will now be searching for a new digit. For Evans, the change isn't just about a jersey, it's about a new era. As he prepares to turn 33 in August, "The Cinco" represents a veteran with a fresh perspective, ready to prove that a change of scenery and a change of number is exactly what he needs to help Kyle Shanahan’s offense capture that sixth Lombardi Trophy.