49ers GM Trent Baalke told CSNBayArea.com that they would like to re-sign RB Frank Gore and have him back for the 2015 season.
“He understands what he means to this organization,” Baalke said. “He would certainly like to be back, and we would certainly like to have him back. Now, whether we can make that a reality or not, time will tell.”
Baalke mentioned that he told Gore during a talk in the weight room on Monday that they would like him to return for his 11th season in San Francisco.
It’s worth mentioning that the 49ers have Carlos Hyde, who they used a second-round pick on several months ago, and Kendall Hunter on their roster for next season, so there are some questions as to whether or not Gore will be asked to take a reduced role to be back with the team.
“You have to look at the situation,” Baalke said. “Frank is going to want to discuss his role, and what that role is going to be moving forward. What is the contract itself going to look like? We can both want each other’s company, but to make that happen, there are hurdles that are going to have to be crossed.
“He knows we are interested. We know he is interested. And we’re going to see if we can come together at some point. Now isn’t the time. I know what’s on Frank’s mind, and that’s finishing this season with a ‘W,’ and potentially get that 1,000-yard barrier that he covets — his eighth 1,000-yard season. And that, in and of itself, is yeoman’s work.”
Gore, 31, is finishing up his four-year, $25.9 million contract that included $13.5 million guaranteed.
Given that NFL teams don’t pay very much for running backs and the fact that he’s already over 30, it seems likely that Gore will have to accept a reduced salary next year.
At 29, Steven Jackson secured a three-year, $12 million contract with $4 million guaranteed a few years ago, but even that could be too much for interested teams.
This year, Gore has ran for 962 yards on 230 carries (4.2 YPC) to go along with nine receptions for 106 yards receiving and five total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 36 running back out of 57 qualifying players.
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Pro Football Focus has Frank Gore rated as the #36 Running Back ?
Since when does an opposing teams Defense game plan on stopping a # 36 Running Back as the key to victory ?
Frank Gore will be offered a team friendly contract probably in the $2 million or so category at 2 years tops & this will be his last chance at a 1000 yard season as he will be a rotational back next season & beyond.
The 49ers themselves will shed contracts of overpaid underperforming players as well as trade off 1 or 2 others.
Personally I believe we will see OLB Brooks, TE Vernon Davis & WR Crabtree released. There is a desperate need for a field stretching WR & if QB Kap doesn’t show remarkable improvement next year he will be traded in 2016.
To address the article:
Greg Roman uses excellent run blocking schemes but his pass plays are weak, routes easily covered & show no imagination. His replacement must be a West Coast Offense type in the Bill Walsh mode as the Offensive Line was built for run blocking not the 5 second or longer pass protection of a Manning or Brady.