49ers GM Trent Baalke confirmed that RB Jarryd Hayne will return to the team in 2016, even with the hiring a new head coach.
According to Baalke, HC Chip Kelly is “well aware” of Hayne’s journey to the NFL and is “excited to get his hands on him.”
“He’s excited to get his hands on him, the whole coaching staff is,” Baalke told the Sydney Morning Herald, via the Mercury News. “We’ll find out in short order who fits and who doesn’t fit.”
Baalke said that he’s really looking forward to how Hayne responds in year two, after getting his first taste of the NFL in 2015.
“Absolutely it was worth it,” Baalke said. “And I’m really looking forward to how he responds in year two. He gained some valuable experience last year, both in game situations and within the practice settings.”
Baalke added that Hayne will be giving every opportunity to secure a roster this summer.
“Let’s see how the off-season goes, how much work he gets done and where he’s at coming into year two,” Baalke said of Hayne. “… I don’t have a crystall ball, but what I do know is that he is very conscientious and this is very important to him.
“Now is that going to be enough to establish himself on the 53 within this system, I don’t know. But he’s going to be given every opportunity like we promised him going into this.”
Hayne, 27, signed a three-year contract that included $115,100 guaranteed with the 49ers back in March of last year. However, he was waived back in October before later being signed to the team’s practice squad once he cleared waivers.
He’ll make a base salary of $525,000 for the 2016 season.
In 2015, appeared in eight games and ran for 52 yards on 17 carries (3.1 YPC) to go along with six receptions for 27 yards receiving. He has also contributed 76 kick return yards.
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