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Jordan Mason Contract Terms
Jordan Mason was tendered a one-year deal by the San Francisco 49ers worth $5.3 million, according to Adam Schefter and Matt Barrows. He is now a restricted free agent, which means another team could offer Mason a richer contract. If that happens and the 49ers do not match the offer, they will receive a second-round pick as compensation. However, this is highly unlikely, and we expect Mason to remain in San Francisco.
Fantasy Football Impact
The 49ers signed Jordan Mason as an undrafted free agent in 2022, and he has played out his three-year rookie contract. Last season, Mason led the 49ers with 789 yards on 153 attempts, scoring three touchdowns in 12 games as a key part of their injury-plagued backfield. He had nearly as many carries as Isaac Guerendo, Christian McCaffrey, and Patrick Taylor Jr. combined. The injury curse hit him, too, and he missed the season’s final five weeks with a high-ankle sprain.
Mason had three 100-yard games during the first four weeks of the 2024 season, but he exceeded 75 yards only twice after that. He has 1,253 career rushing yards on 236 attempts and seven rushing touchdowns. He has minimal involvement in the passing game, collecting 14 receptions for 122 yards during his three seasons in San Francisco.
Given that the Chargers offered Najee Harris a base contract worth $5.25 million (potentially $9.25 million with incentives) to become their lead back, San Francisco's financial commitment to Mason highlights his value on the field amid the uncertainty surrounding McCaffrey’s future performance. Mason’s tender nearly doubles his $2.6 million in career earnings to date.
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The Fantasy Football Fallout
Jordan Mason’s outlook depends on McCaffrey’s recovery. In his last full season before suffering Achilles injuries, McCaffrey led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards on 272 carries. That season, Mason had just 40 carries, third on the team behind Elijah Mitchell’s 75 carries. Mason was the more efficient of the two backups, averaging 5.2 yards to Mitchell’s 3.7 yards per carry. Mitchell, who missed the 2024 season, is now in Kansas City.
Jordan Mason should not be viewed merely as an insurance policy if McCaffrey cannot resume his prior workload or remain healthy for the season. Mason demonstrated he can be a lead back when called upon, and the Niners may see Mason as their 1B to McCaffrey’s 1A. They could confidently utilize Mason to reduce McCaffrey’s workload and keep both healthy through the season.
Mason's return to the 49ers hurts the outlook of the team's other running backs. Isaac Guerendo will enter his second NFL season competing to be the team’s RB3. He rushed for 420 yards on 84 carries in his rookie season primarily as a backup, though he started three games. Patrick Taylor Jr., who signed a one-year contract extension worth just over $1 million on Monday, will be in the mix for carries. Both stood to gain touches had Mason not been re-signed. Barring injury, both should be faded by fantasy managers.
Stock Watch
Risers
Fallers
Overview
Signing restricted free agent running back Jordan Mason away from the 49ers will cost a second-round draft pick after the team gave Mason a second-round tender offer. That means if a team wants to sign Mason, the 49ers can either match that offer and keep Mason, or the 49ers can let Mason leave, and the team that signs him has to give San Francisco a second-round pick. It's unlikely that a team will give up a second-round pick for Mason, so he's expected to stay in San Francisco.
Check out the Footballguys Player Movement Tracker to stay current on Jordan Mason and the rest of the NFL’s free-agent signings.
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