Golden Gate Sports
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San Francisco 49ers should sign Frank Gore

By Carlos Murillo

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 26-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium on September 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 26-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers should consider bringing home a franchise legend and future Pro Football Hall of Famer in Frank Gore for the 2019 season.

The San Francisco 49ers are looking to recapture some of the magic that surrounded them from 2013-2015. Jimmy Garoppolo‘s ACL injury effectively ended their playoff hopes in Week 3 last season, but the Niners are looking to add some key pieces and make their first run at the postseason in the Kyle Shanahan era. One of those pieces should be veteran running back Frank Gore, who was a key part of those dominant 49ers teams in the middle of the decade.

Gore, 35, will be entering his 15th season in the NFL. He’s still a productive player at this juncture, playing 14 games last year with the Miami Dolphins. He totaled 722 rushing yards (4.6 yards per attempt) with another 124 yards through the air. He only found the end zone once, oddly enough as a receiver, but that’s not his role at this point in his career.

The 49ers have two running backs to do the heavy lifting in 2019. Matt Breida, whose 5.3 yards per carry were good for fourth in the league, is looking to build on a great season. Jerrick McKinnon is, reportedly, expected to take the starting spot next year as he returns from a 2018 preseason ACL tear.

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Gore can provide the 49ers with insurance behind a recovering McKinnon and Breida. In a limited role, he can continue to be productive and even prolong his Hall of Fame career, should he choose to do so. He is just 521 yards away from passing Barry Sanders on the all-time rushing yards list.

Gore posted a tweet that many are speculating is hinting at a return to the 49ers, the team he spent 10 years with.

Gore is one of the most beloved 49ers players in recent history. The strongest 49ers teams since the ’90s were built partly around his talents. He is a franchise legend with a special connection to the fanbase.

More importantly, though, Gore is an experienced and effective veteran who can help the team, even in a minor way. He’s still productive enough to find himself a larger role elsewhere, but the sentimental value of a homecoming can be attractive, especially if he can help usher in another successful chapter in 49ers history.