The San Francisco 49ers offensive backfield took a hit Saturday when they agreed to trade running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings in a swap of 2025 sixth-round picks.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport first reported the deal which includes a two-year contract for Mason worth up to $12 million. Mason received a second-round restricted free agent tender with the 49ers that would have paid him $5,346,000 fully guaranteed in 2025 before he hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.
Mason was one of few bright spots for the 49ers last season. He started six games in place of injured RB Christian McCaffrey and racked up 789 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 153 carries in a breakout campaign.
The 2022 undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech was a seldom-used piece of the 49ers backfield in his first two seasons, tallying only 86 carries in 33 games. Last year he was thrust into a larger role early in training camp when McCaffrey was shut down with a calf injury. That calf injury turned out to be Achilles tendinitis that landed the starter on IR ahead of Week 2. Mason filled in admirably before shoulder and ankle injuries limited him to only 12 games.
He finishes his career with 45 games played, 236 carries, 1,253 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 49ers backfield is now down to McCaffrey, second-year RB Isaac Guerendo, and veteran Patrick Taylor who joined San Francisco last offseason and re-signed on a one-year deal early in free agency.
