So, one thing you may have realized watching Isaac Guerendo come out with some speedy runs and an impressive showing against the Chicago Bears: This kid has a future. He’s also cheap, being on his rookie deal.
He also can get injured, which is why he’s out for Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. After his Bears coming out party, Guerendo has had difficulties either getting to practice or staying on the field. Against the Los Angeles Rams, he had 16 carries, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Some want to say those numbers mean he’s no good. Sure, if you want to label him as bad after *checks notes* two games as the starter. Not to mention all the other issues that the team is dealing with.
Something that is more apparent is that there is enough evidence here that the 49ers may not extend Elijah Mitchell.
Don’t misunderstand; I think everyone on this site loves Mitchell and the contributions he’s made to the 49ers. He was thrust into the starting role his rookie season after Raheem Mostert went down in 2021 and performed well. Unfortunately, Mitchell just couldn’t/can’t stay healthy. The 49ers have that issue with Guerendo and he’s going to be bucketloads cheaper this offseason.
For 2025, the 49ers have Christian McCaffrey, hopefully at full strength. They can issue a tender on Jordan Mason, who will be an unrestricted free agent, though it will be interesting to see what round they tender him with. Isaac Guerendo would be RB3. Maybe he will become RB2 in 2025. Getting through a full season would be the first milestone, something many NFL running backs can have issues doing, not just Guerendo.
Either way, Mitchell hits free agency. There are no restricted tenders the 49ers can give him. They can only give him money, a resource in limited quantities due to Brock Purdy’s mega-deal looming.
The only knock on Mitchell is his durability. He’s been injured each of his 4 seasons. 2024 is the worst, as he was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve before Week 1.
That said, when he is on the field, he’s fast and slippery, and a team may be willing to pay him as a change-of-pace back. That team probably won’t be the 49ers.
Of course, a one-year prove-it deal by the 49ers is not out of the question. In fact, that very well could happen. The choice would obviously be up to Mitchell, who can see a crowded running back room and decide he would want to go somewhere else for more playing time. I’d love it if Kyle Shanahan could use four running backs interchangeably, even with McCaffrey’s elite status, just to keep a defense spinning. Each of them offers a unique wrinkle, with McCaffrey having all of them, but there’s enough evidence to suggest that he’ll run McCaffrey 70 percent of the time for the reason I just specified.
It all comes back to money. I’ve seen enough from Guerendo to know that if they can get a decent offensive line in front of him, he can continue to develop, assuming he sees more of the field next year.
What do you think the 49ers should do with Mitchell? One-year? Let him walk? Do you see him coming back?
