The 49ers dealt Jordan Mason to the Vikings, which opens the door for Isaac Guerendo to assume a massive role.
It's fair to look at the San Francisco 49ers' roster moves thus far in the 2025 offseason as part of a massive cost-saving teardown.
On the flip side, though, nearly every move means another opportunity shows up for players who otherwise wouldn't have enjoyed one.
Last season, fans were "treated" to the attrition that was at running back for the Niners, leading off with All-Pro Christian McCaffrey missing the bulk of the year, followed by a relatively unheard-of Jordan Mason taking over and ranking toward the top of NFL rushing boards for much of the season.
Until Mason, too, went down with an injury.
That led to then-rookie Isaac Guerendo's ascent, and the speedy fourth-round draft pick out of Louisville didn't disappoint, amassing 420 rush yards with four touchdowns while averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
With Mason potentially in the way for 2025, though, Guerendo was likely going to be relegated back to RB3.
No longer.
Jordan Mason's trade opens up door for Isaac Guerendo to shine
A week after the league new year opened, San Francisco dealt Mason to the Minnesota Vikings in a move involving day-three draft choices, including a sixth-rounder coming back to the 49ers in 2026.
It's a win for Mason, who likely benefits from a more prominent role in an offense not unlike the one he enjoyed in the Bay Area last season.
But the bigger beneficiary is Guerendo.
Sure, McCaffrey remains atop the depth chart, assuming the Niners don't go "scorched earth" and remove every household name on offense between now and Week 1. However, considering McCaffrey is coming off serious injuries, will turn 29 years old this offseason and was the subject of having his touches limited after his Offensive Player of the Year campaign in 2023, Guerendo's stock is very much on the rise.
Guerendo started three games last season, too, prior to suffering his own season-altering injuries late. While that might have been out of necessity, San Francisco can at least take comfort knowing the second-year pro can shoulder the load.
Both as a flashy change-of-pace tailback and as a shoo-in starter, if needed.