The San Francisco 49ers parted methods with one other key participant on Saturday once they traded working again Jordan Mason, however the newest deal could also be a constructive signal for the group.
Mason was traded from San Francisco to the Minnesota Vikings in change for a sixth-round draft choose. The deal, which additionally concerned a choose swap, continued what has been an offseason expertise purge for the 49ers.
Mason has averaged a powerful 5.3 yards per carry in his three-year NFL profession. He rushed for 789 yards on 153 carries after being thrust into a much bigger position final 12 months due to Christian McCaffrey’s Achilles woes.
Many have puzzled why the Niners discovered it worthwhile to commerce a priceless insurance coverage coverage for a sixth-round choose. For starters, Mason was owed $5.3 million subsequent season. San Francisco most likely didn’t wish to pay that a lot for a backup working again.
The commerce may additionally sign that McCaffrey is wholesome. McCaffrey’s standing was unclear all through all of final offseason. He wound up taking part in in solely 4 regular-season video games, so Mason stuffed a big void for some time. San Francisco’s choice to half methods with Mason could imply the group is assured McCaffrey shall be wholesome heading into 2025.
In fact, working backs at all times appear to thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Isaac Guerendo is getting into his second NFL season and on a way more team-friendly contract. He turned the “subsequent man up” in San Francisco after Mason suffered an ankle harm in Week 13. Guerendo rushed for 420 yards and 4 touchdowns and averaged a powerful 5.0 yards per carry as a rookie.
Niners followers are hoping the Mason commerce is a sign that McCaffrey is able to return to his All-Professional type. In actuality, Shanahan and common supervisor John Lynch are seemingly assured they’ll get equal manufacturing out of a a lot cheaper participant than Mason.
