The San Francisco 49ers parted methods with one other key participant on Saturday after they traded operating again Jordan Mason, however the newest deal could also be a optimistic signal for the workforce.
Mason was traded from San Francisco to the Minnesota Vikings in alternate for a sixth-round draft choose. The deal, which additionally concerned a choose swap, continued what has been an offseason talent 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 an even bigger position final 12 months due to Christian McCaffrey’s Achilles woes.
Many have puzzled why the Niners discovered it worthwhile to commerce a invaluable 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 operating again.
The commerce might additionally sign that McCaffrey is wholesome. McCaffrey’s standing was unclear all through all of final offseason. He wound up enjoying 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 might imply the workforce is assured McCaffrey shall be wholesome heading into 2025.
In fact, operating backs at all times appear to thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Isaac Guerendo is coming 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 damage 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 kind. In actuality, Shanahan and common supervisor John Lynch are probably assured they’ll get equal manufacturing out of a a lot inexpensive participant than Mason.
