The Ravens, Chargers may pursue 49ers impending free-agent running back Jordan Mason after the 2024 season. According to multiple reports, Mason will be heading to the IR alongside Christian McCaffrey so this may signal a departure in March. Originally selected as an undrafted free agent in 2022, the Georgia Tech product has been able to hold down stomping grounds as the starter in place of McCaffrey after missing the majority of the season. Mason made the 53-man roster his rookie year and has only been getting better as much as he gets reps.
However, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy himself and since selecting Issac Guerrendo in this past NFL Draft, the likelihood of Mason joining a new team may become imminent. After extending Brandon Aiyuk this past offseason, the 49ers will have to worry about giving contracts to star players Brock Purdy and Deebo Samuel. There’s no word on what the team will do but they would probably would rather keep McCaffrey as their immediate starter while keeping a few younger pieces like Guerrendo. San Francisco claimed running back Israel Abanikanda which isn’t helping the case for Mason with a heavy-backfield.
While Guerrendo has plenty of promise, Mason could find that elsewhere with a new contender that needs a new running back. As long as he stays healthy, it shouldn’t be too long before he signs with a roster. Mason has yet to prove he can stay healthy but could become a solid backup runner for a team that needs one.
Ravens, Chargers May Pursue 49ers Impending Free Agent Jordan Mason
Backup Help for Henry
The Baltimore Ravens made several changes in their backfield room this past offseason after letting go of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Derrick Henry‘s takeover of the run has been explosive all year and is an immediate help for Lamar Jackson’s aspirations to have a solid offense. Even though the defense has been atrocious, the Ravens found a way to keep matchups close despite losing plenty of winnable games. However, Baltimore has yet to address the backup position or any help for Derrick Henry which may not spell bad news yet as they have Justice Hill but he’s more of a quick dump-off backfield piece.
Jordan Mason won’t join the Ravens this postseason but if Baltimore falls out early in the wild card, they could stack a strong roster to continue to be competitive. Keaton Mitchell is no longer a reliable running back in the league anymore despite returning from his injury this season. However, they can’t afford to not have reliable depth behind Henry. He’s only on a two-year deal so this could probably give him some competition next season in time for a potential contract extension.
Running with Jim Harbaugh
Nobody in this league loves running the football more than Jim Harbaugh. However, the Los Angeles Chargers have been taking a huge hit to their backfield as anticipated with J.K. Dobbins on IR and Gus Edwards dealing with ailments of an injury. Dobbins has been successful in achieving Harbaugh’s aspirations but since he can’t stay healthy, this will force the team to find a new running back. Mason could be a backfield piece on their wishlist but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if they look towards next year’s NFL Draft.
However, they brought in Kimani Vidal but he has yet to prove that he could be an efficient runner for Justin Herbert’s backfield. Mason won’t become the full-time starter in Los Angeles but he has the speed and agility Harbaugh is looking for so he could win the potential job in 2025.
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