Why Kyle Shanahan believes Mike Evans, Christian Kirk picked 49ers over others

LOS ANGELES — Mike Evans and Christian Kirk had other suitors during NFL free agency, but both wide receivers chose to play for 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan was in Southern California over the weekend to lead one of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic teams and spoke to NBC Sports Bay Area about why Evans decided to move to the Bay Area for less money than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered him. “I think that says everything about how important football is to him,” Shanahan said. “He thinks football first, and with us being the best football situation for him. And when you have guys like that, to me, that gives you a chance to do something special.” Evans’ NFL career speaks for itself — 11 1,000-yard seasons, six Pro Bowl nods, first-team All-Pro honors in his rookie season, and two second-team All-Pro mentions. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound wideout is different than any other receiver Shanahan has coached since taking over as head coach in 2017. “Mike is a unique dude,” Shanahan said. “He’s a Hall of Famer. Never had a guy truly like Mike. Had some Hall of Famers, but they’ve all been...