After a disappointing 2024 season, the San Francisco 49ers are going through a major overhaul of the roster. Only two days into free agency, the 49ers already moved on from key veterans, signaling how different the team will look on both ends of the field next season.
Following the Deebo Samuel trade, the 49ers released Kyle Juszczyk, Javon Hargrave, and Leonard Floyd while letting offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Jaylon Moore sign elsewhere. Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, and Talanoa Hufanga also left in free agency. No team has suffered as many key departures as San Francisco so far in the offseason.
The running back position is one of many areas the team will look different in 2025. The 49ers let Elijah Mitchell sign with the Chiefs but signed Patrick Taylor Jr. to a one-year deal. They have a second-round tender to restricted free agent Jordan Mason, so his future with the team remains unclear as of now.
With Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo coming off injuries, the 49ers could use more depth in the position. It turns out that they are considering bringing back a familiar face for that role.
Former 49ers running back Raheem Mostert said that the team reached out to him and the sides are talking about a potential return.
Raheem Mostert says the 49ers have reached out about a possible return:
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 11, 2025
"I do got some juice left, obviously. But now it's all about trying to win. I got a taste of what it was like when I was with the Niners in '19, getting to Super Bowl and playing in that game and scoring as… pic.twitter.com/nQInpv0IEj
"The Niners have been in discussion. I could just say that we've heard from them, and trying to work some stuff out, obviously. But you never know. You can go one direction and then flip within an hour, to another direction. But everything's on the table for me right now"Raheem Mostert
After spending six seasons in San Francisco, Mostert had signed with the Dolphins in the 2022 offseason. He earned his first Pro Bowl honors there in 2023 but had a down season in 2024, finishing with 278 rushing yards, 3.3 yards per carry, and two touchdowns in 13 games.
Entering his age-33 season, Mostert will likely not return to the form that saw him run for 336 yards and five touchdowns in three postseason games for the 49ers in 2019. However, he is a competent veteran who can be a depth option for a team and coaching staff he knows very well. Whether GM John Lynch feels the same way remains to be seen.