Niner Noise
FanSided

Top 10 Biggest Mistakes the 49ers Have Made Since 2015

By Peter Panacy

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Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won 23-14. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 9: Letting RB Frank Gore Walk

It made sense, at the time, to let now 33-year-old running back Frank Gore depart via free agency prior to 2015. He was aging, and the 49ers had an up-and-coming tailback in Carlos Hyde.

Hyde, a second-round pick in 2014, was viewed as the heir apparent to Gore. And while something of the sort may still happen in future seasons, Hyde’s injury problems have been a major setback to whatever the 49ers are trying to accomplish.

Dating back to 2015, Hyde has missed 11 out of 24 regular-season games due to one injury or another.

San Francisco should have made efforts to retain Gore. Serious ones. Gore continues to contribute at a high level, now for the Indianapolis Colts, and has 592 rushing yards and four touchdowns this year.

Hyde could have easily complemented Gore in 2015 and 2016, which would have kept both players fresh and, likely, healthy.