Whether or not the San Francisco 49ers ever intended to bring back running back Brian Robinson Jr. is anyone's guess, although the fact there were zero reported discussions in free agency between the two parties suggests Robinson was going to be a one-year player in the Bay Area.
Ultimately, it matters not now, as Robinson is off to join the Atlanta Falcons after spending 2025 as All-Pro Christian McCaffrey's primary backup.
And that might be the best news possible for another member of the Niners' rushing depth chart, Isaac Guerendo.
Guerendo endured one of the more frustrating sophomore campaigns in recent San Francisco memory, going from an improbable late-season fill-in for McCaffrey back in 2024 to a virtually non-existent non-factor a year later. On offense, Guerendo saw precisely zero offensive touches on zero offensive snaps in 2025.
True, McCaffrey's return to health, coupled with Robinson's presence, ensured the Round 4 draftee out of Louisville's services weren't vital.
But, the fact the 49ers turned to 2025 rookie rusher Jordan James instead of Guerendo during garbage time of the playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks says a lot about how they currently view the latter.
Maybe, just maybe, that's change in light of Robinson's departure.
Brian Robinson leaving opens last final door for Isaac Guerendo
Currently, the Niners' rostered depth chart at running back is as follows:
- Christian McCaffrey
- Jordan James
- Patrick Taylor Jr.
- Isaac Guerendo
Flip Nos. 3 and 4, if you wish, but Robinson signing with Atlanta in free agency opens up a sizable void behind CMC.
It's reasonable to assume San Francisco tabs a running back at some point during April's NFL Draft, or in the immediate aftermath, at the very least. But, while McCaffrey is miles ahead of everyone else on the depth chart, the gaps between Guerendo and James can't be substantially huge.
They would have been, had Robinson been re-signed.
For now, at least, Guerendo's chances of hanging around with the 49ers are slightly better with Robinson fully out of the picture. Not great, but better.
All that could change soon, though.