49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters at the Scouting Combine on Wednesday that they have been in talks with veteran RB Frank Gore about bringing him back next year.
“That’s why we talked. That’s the exact (reason),” Baalke said, via Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. “We reached out. He reached out back. He wasn’t expecting it to take legs like it did. Nor were we. He didn’t have any intentions by it and he made that very clear in our conversations.
“It’s at the same place it was the last time we talked,” Baalke said. “We’re still working on it. It’s not something that’s going to get done yesterday. It’ll take some time to resolve. It’s our intention to have Frank back.”
This is interesting given that Matt Miller of the Bleacher Report reported Tuesday that sources around the league don’t see Gore returning to the San Francisco 49ers next season.
Miller said that there will definitely be a market for Gore in the coming weeks and listed the Colts, Redskins and Dolphins as potential suitors.
Of the three, Miller’s sources consider the Colts to be a “shoo-in” to sign Gore as a free agent this offseason given that they could really use a legitimate No. 1 running back.
Colts HC Chuck Pagano and assistant Rod Chudzinski are reportedly interested in bringing Gore to Indianapolis and can offer him a starting role.
However, talk of Gore leaving San Francisco could be premature based on Baalke’s comments.
Gore, 31, played out his three-year, $19,212,550 contract with the 49ers, which included $13.5 million guaranteed.
In 2014, he ran for 1,106 yards on 255 carries (4.3 YPC) to go along with 11 receptions for 111 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has Gore rated as the No. 26 running back out of 57 qualifying players.
We have Gore listed as the No. 46 player in our Top 75 Free Agents list.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
