Is Matayo Uiagalelei a Fit for the 49ers Next Offseason?
It's still the summer, but Matayo Uiagalelei is already an enticing prospect for the 49ers.
Video Transcript
And, and if you're at a spot where you have Mike Evans, especially in the passing game, again, we, we could talk about the run blocking ability all we want, but if you're talking about a passing game that's gonna include Mike Evans, Ricky Pearsall, Christian Kirk, obviously Christian McCaffrey, Jake Tongas has shown he's capable in the pass game, there's no reason to rush him back.
And, and, and even, like I A tough time saying it, 'cause obviously I'm not George Kittle.
I would not be against the idea of starting him on the PUP list, having him sit the first six weeks out, and then go from there and see where it's at.
but obviously George Kittle's gonna have much more of a say in that situation, and, and the Niners obviously are gonna wanna rush him back because of his talent.
I, I'm fine with letting Kittle, Kittle sit for, for six weeks just to make sure everything's 100%.
There's no reason to rush him back.
Yeah, and this is why I believe that Mike Evans is the most important offensive weapon this season, because he has to carry the potential of Kittle being out for a while.
And then, you know, the other thing, the elephant in the room is Kittle does return, and it takes him a while to get back to being Kittle.
Mm-hmm.
And what about Christian McCaffrey?
Like, the one constant force on this offense has to be Mike Evans every single game.
And it- Yeah and he has to carry them.
And I think that's why Brock Purdy's the most important, you know, offensive player, because he's the quarterback.
But I mean, weapon, it has to be Mike Evans who has to do the heavy lifting while we're waiting to see what's up with George Kittle, while you're planning for the, the eventual, you know, downfall of, of Christian McCaffrey.
So- Mm-hmm yeah, with, with, with this, it's, you have to plan for George Kittle to eventually return, but it's going And just like a lot of other players, and we're gonna get to a lot of other players who were injured last year, that I'm looking at that bye week, where I need you to turn the corner after that bye week if you've been a little bit, you know, behind or if you're getting yourself back into shape.
So yeah, absolutely.
I think Mike Evans is the most important player in 2026 because we don't know what's gonna happen with Kittle, because something could potentially happen with Christian McCaffrey.
He needs to be the constant force, over 1,000 yards, 12-plus touchdowns- Mm-hmm red zone, red zone monster.
He's the guy that has to be, and I don't wanna put all this pressure on him, but he has to be the constant ev- Like week one against, the, you know, who, who did they, J- Watson and, and the other guy that the, the Rams brought in.
You have to- hit the ground running.
Yeah, you have to hit the ground running.
Six catches, 70 yards, a touchdown, easily.
Like you- you have to be that guy to start.
There can't be any slow ramp up, because we don't know what we're getting from Christian McCaffrey and we don't know what we're getting from George Kittle.
