The San Francisco 49ers decided to shake up their running back room on Saturday night, trading restricted free agent running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings.ย
According to ESPNโs Adam Schefter, the Vikings will get a 2025 sixth-round pick along with Mason, while the 49ers will receive a 2025 fifth-round and a 2026 sixth-round pick. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network adds that the former 49ers running back will also sign a two-year, $7 million contract fully guaranteed with a max value of $12 million.
Full trade, per sources:
โ Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2025
๐Minnesota sends a 2026 6th-round pick and pick No. 160 this year to San Francisco.
๐San Francisco sends RB Jordan Mason and pick No. 187 to Minnesota. https://t.co/96ajBj9BiB
Trade: Per @katzbrossports, the #49ers are trading Jordan Mason to the #Vikings. He gets a 2-year deal with over $7M fully guaranteed at signing with a maximum value of $12M. Negotiated by Jason & Michael Katz. pic.twitter.com/H57L9AoXLo
โ Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2025
Some 49er fans were not happy with the trade, given how Mason played last season when he had the opportunity to start for an injured Christian McCaffrey. Nonetheless, the young running back is thankful for the chance to play in front of the fans and shared a heartfelt message on social media.
"Forever grateful to the Faithful for allowing me to showcase my talents to the world, against all the odds, Mason said. They said it wasnโt going to be me! What God has set aside for you, NOBODY can interfere. On to new beginnings and new blessings. Letโs get down to business Skol Nation."
Former #49ers RB Jordan Masonโs recent IG post after getting traded to the Vikings ๐ซก pic.twitter.com/nYRrFz2MPj
โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง๐จ (@TheSFNiners) March 16, 2025
Mason spent the first three years of his career with the 49ers after going undrafted following the 2022 NFL Draft.ย
The 25-year-old running back immediately caught the attention of the 49ersโ brass, winning a job on the 53-man roster out of preseason ahead of the 2022 season. Mason didnโt play often in his rookie year, appearing in all 16 games, mostly on special teams (60% of snaps).ย
However, when Mason got a chance on offense, the undrafted free agent running back had 258 yards and a touchdown on 43 carries. Mason had a similar output in his second year (206 yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries) before taking off last season.
With McCaffrey banged up to start the season, Mason took over the starting job and was terrific, rushing for 100-plus yards in three out of the 49ersโ first four games. He ultimately finished the season with 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 153 carries.
Mason had his 2024 season cut short by injury at the end too, missing San Franciscoโs last five games because of an ankle injury.ย
Nonetheless, Mason will likely have more opportunities behind veteran running back Aaron Jones in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the 49ers will potentially go the NFL draft route, to fill Masonโs spot on the roster.