The San Francisco 49ers are bringing back fifth-year running back Jerick McKinnon after restructuring his contract. Per NFL Insider Adam Caplan, the Niners have taken off the final year of McKinnon's original contract (2021) and have dropped his 2020 salary to the veteran's minimum of $2 million with per-game roster bonuses.
After four promising years with the Minnesota Vikings, the 49ers signed the 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back last March to a four-year deal worth $30 million.
Expected to compete for the 49ers' starting job alongside Tevin Coleman, Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida, a knee injury forced McKinnon to miss the entire 2019 season. Injuries have been a common occurrence for the former Georgia Southern star; a torn ACL also kept the undersized back from competing in 2018.
Despite seemingly losing their starting running back before the season, the 49ers churned out one of the best rushing attacks in the entire league in 2019. San Francisco's 144.1 rushing yards per game ranked behind only the Baltimore Ravens and the team's 23 rushing touchdowns on the season was more than any other team.
The 49ers' production in the running game despite the team not having a true No. 1 option at running back. San Francisco had three players carry the ball over 100 times last season led by Coleman's 137.
Journeyman Raheem Mostert would end up leading the 49ers in rushing with 772 yards and eight touchdowns, marking by far the best season of his five-year NFL career.
The emergence of the other running backs on San Francisco's roster will make it difficult for McKinnon to come in and be the bell cow back he was originally intended to be for the 49ers.
—
Follow NFL on ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us. Get more on the 49ers.
All of our NFL content can be found on the NFL section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our fantasy football content, click here. Stay on top of the 49ers.
Follow Us
Subscribe