Raheem Mostert: 5 best landing spots for 49ers free-agent running back

It’s likely the 49ers are going to bid farewell to Raheem Mostert in 2022, and these are the likely five best options for him to play next season.

The career span of any NFL player is usually short, and that statement is magnified when it comes to running backs.

In the case of San Francisco 49ers veteran running back Raheem Mostert, whose early career had a tumultuous journeyman-like path until landing with the Niners in 2016, what happens this offseason is going to be vital in determining the likely ending of his professional career.

Mostert is one of a number of pending free agents San Francisco has to make a decision on this offseason. There are a few things already working against a would-be re-sign deal with the 49ers, particularly in the wake of him suffering a season-ending knee injury way back in Week 1. On top of that, the Niners may have identified Mostert’s long-term replacement, running back Elijah Mitchell, who led the offense with 963 rushing yards during the regular season.

Additionally, Mostert will turn 30 years old by the time the 2022 season begins.

However, Mostert had made no overtures about retiring anytime soon. Considering his age and injury history, though, it’s likely his upcoming contract will be the last substantial one he signs.

Let’s take a look at some best-fit possibilities for where he plays in 2022.

Raheem Mostert Landing Spot No. 5: San Francisco 49ers

Wait, so why would San Francisco re-sign Mostert when it already has Mitchell under contract on the cheap for the next three seasons?

There are objecting reasons why a Mostert reunion makes sense. For starters, at least when healthy, Mostert has been a vital cog in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and Shanahan often prefers a running back rotation anyway, meaning a tandem of Mostert and Mitchell could be potent.

Related Story: Reasons for and against 49ers re-signing Raheem Mostert

Additionally, fellow running backs JaMycal Hasty and Jeff Wilson Jr. may be off the roster in 2022, too, and rookie tailback Trey Sermon hasn’t made much of a dent since being taken in Round 3 of last year’s NFL Draft.

Contrary to popular belief, Shanahan and the 49ers aren’t shy when it comes to spending money on tailbacks (see Jerick McKinnon and Tevin Coleman as examples), so retaining Mostert is surely an option for the Niners in 2022.