The San Francisco 49ers have spent the last two weeks making roster moves in advance of NFL free agency, which begins next month. On Monday, the 49ers re-signed veteran offensive lineman Ben Bartch to a one-year contract extension.
The 26-year-old lineman was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. But now the 49ers can cross Bartch off their offseason checklist and decide who they might want to re-sign next.
One potential candidate that should be on San Francisco’s radar is running back Jordan Mason. Mason and linebacker Curtis Robinson are both restricted free agents for the 49ers.
In the NFL, a restricted free agent is a player with three accrued seasons who has received a qualifying offer, and becomes an RFA when their contract expires at the end of the new league year.
An RFA is free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their current team can offer a qualifying offer. After that, there’s either a right of first refusal or draft compensation.
The 25-year-old Mason had his best year as a pro, becoming the team’s starting running back in Week 1 for an injured Christian McCaffrey. Mason started in six of the 49ers’ first seven games, which included three 100-plus rushing yard performances.
Jordan Mason BREAKS FREE!@NFL | @49ers | #TNFonPrimepic.twitter.com/hiSYCnaeS4
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 11, 2024
However, Mason took a backseat to rookie Isaac Guerendo in Week 8, who recorded 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Meanwhile, Mason only had 18 yards on six carries.
Over the Niners’ next four games, the third-year running back ran for 104 yards on 19 carries. Star running back Christian McCaffrey made his long-awaited 2024 debut during that stretch.
That said, Mason missed San Francisco’s last five games of the season as he was placed on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. Based on what he showed in an expanded role this past season, the 49ers might want to try to work out an extension with Mason.
For an undrafted running back, the 5-foot-11 running back has already exceeded expectations and became a viable option in the running game. With McCaffrey coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season, the Niners need to have as much depth as possible.
Mason isn’t a pass catcher like McCaffrey and Guerendo, but could fill in nicely as that change of pace RB2 when McCaffrey needs a break. Spotrac projects Mason’s calculated market value as a one-year, $1.7 million deal. That projection might not be too far off from what the Niners might ultimately do with Mason.