© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers’ backfield will stay intact; the core of it, anyway. On Wednesday, the 49ers announced that running back Jeff Wilson Jr., a restricted free agent, re-signed on a one-year deal.
That keeps the tandem of Wilson and Raheem Mostert intact, with JaMycal Hasty also under contract. Jerick McKinnon confirmed he will not be returning, saying, “Fuck no!” when asked about his free agency by Deebo Samuel on Instagram Live.
McKinnon was not expected to return. Tevin Coleman is also a free agent.
Wilson Jr. got his first true chance at being a No. 1 back in 2020 and continued to rampage in the way he always does. A brutal, physical runner, Wilson scored touchdowns at an astonishing rate, with 10 combined in 2020. He ran for 600 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and had 13 catches for 133 yards last season.
Since 2019, he’s perhaps the most efficient touchdown scorer in the NFL. He had 15 since 2019 on 371 snaps and 170 touches. That’s a touchdown every 25.1 snaps every 11.3 touches.
The following is from the 49ers:
“Wilson Jr. (6-0, 213) originally signed with the 49ers as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 1, 2018. Throughout his three seasons with the 49ers (2018-20), he has appeared in 28 games (five starts) and registered 219 carries for 974 yards (4.4 average) and 11 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 28 receptions for 265 yards and four touchdowns through the air. He has also appeared in one postseason contest and registered one reception for 20 yards.
In 2020, Wilson Jr. led the team with 126 carries for 600 yards and seven touchdowns, all single-season career highs. He also tallied career highs in receptions (13), receiving yards (133) and receiving touchdowns (three).
A 25-year-old native of Elkhart, TX, Wilson Jr. attended the University of North Texas where he appeared in 41 games (29 starts) during his four-year career with the Mean Green. He rushed for 3,205 yards and 32 touchdowns on 562 carries, while adding 70 receptions for 527 yards and two touchdowns. Wilson Jr. finished his career ranked third in school history in rushing touchdowns (32) and fourth in rushing yards (3,205). As a senior, he started all 11 games in which he appeared and notched 188 carries for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with 24 receptions for 168 yards.”