By: Jake Rajala

Frank Gore laced up his New York Jets cleats and bulldozed over defenders at the age of 37 last season. Gore clearly sits very high on the career rushing yard list — third in NFL history — recording a seismic 16,000 career rushing yards (behind Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith). 

Early in this 2021 season, the 38-year-old running back is still contemplating his playing hopes. Gore recently reclaimed that several teams have reached out to express interest in him potentially playing. Gore elaborated by saying that he’s enjoying his time away from the NFL and time spent as a father. 

There is no telling if Gore plans to stay away from the game or make another return at some point in the season. It shouldn’t be a surprise if the legendary 49ers RB joins a team in the latter point of the season. We’ve witnessed profiles like CJ Anderson and Marshawn Lynch sign with a squad destined to make a playoff run. It would make a lot of sense for one of the teams interested in Gore to be a very competitive team down the stretch. 

I believe it’s unlikely for Gore to join a team in the near future, but there’s strong reason to believe the RB “open to returning” does join a playoff destined team for a shorter trip with potential for high rewards. With that being said, I’m going to outline a few clubs that would pose to be the best fit for Gore.

Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay isn’t scared to make an unorthodox move to improve his team’s winning chances. The Rams have a blockbuster defense, improved passing offense, but their run game hasn’t been quite up to par. Cam Akers, who was the stud of the bunch, was sent to IR prior to the 2021 season. The fellow RB Darrell Henderson has already fought the injury bug and looks to be inactive this upcoming weekend. 

The Rams are now leaning on former Pats RB Sony Michel to lead the rushing attack. The RB room may need a fresh face towards the backend of the season. Henderson has already faced injuries and Michel has a rich history of missing game time due to injuries. I don’t foresee them bringing back former disgruntled RB Todd Gurley, so it would make plenty of sense for them to bring in a mature, healthier, true bell-cow by the name of Frank Gore into their building. 

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears may not be a dreamy match for the free-agent Gore, but they are a borderline playoff team in desperate need of a RB. The Bears are telling David Montgomery to handle a load of 20 plus touch a game for the long season. Montgomery is a train, but he is not on the mount Rushmore of RBs. Second of all, the Bears need an improved RB2 in the room. 

Montgomery and Gore would prove to be a bruising RB tandem in Chi-town and potentially against stingy defenses like TB, NO, and LAR late in the season. Gore has signed with middle-of-the-pack teams before. It would make sense for another modest team with a need at RB to land the all-time great halfback. Gore could also be a great veteran presence for a team potentially being led out by a rookie QB throughout the season. 

New Orleans Saints

The Saints should be seen as a very realistic fit for Gore for many reasons. Sean Payton likes to have two-three talented RBs on the roster at the same time. He did cut Latavius Murray before the season, but Murray was a shell of his former self and proved to not be reliable this season. In addition to rolling with two RBs, the Saints had bigger plans for players like Taysom Hill and other depth WRs. 

It would make sense for the Saints to scout RBs at some point this season, especially since they started Week 1 with two RBs. They also look like they need a bigger jolt in the running game to help open up the passing game. Gore could be a reliable asset in a three RB rotation or a pivotal factor in a two RB rotation with Alvin Kamara. Gore doesn’t carry an ego even close to that of former Saints RB Adrian Peterson. The former 49ers RB would be accepting of a RB rotation and he could surely help bring a downhill RB presence to the Saints offense. If Saints look near their Week 1 version, then Gore should be expecting to help a playoff team chase another Lombardi trophy.

The post 49ers RB Frank Gore is worthy of another chance appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Chris Thomas

In recent memory, it is hard to recall so many extremely talented free agent players still available at this point of the offseason. The reasoning may be that teams wanted to wait till after the draft to see if they could fill the remaining needs on their roster in the early rounds. Teams may also want to wait till training camp to see if the players on their roster have developed to a point where they could fill that need. On top of that in recent years veteran free agents have decided to wait till after the draft and training camp to sign with teams so they can look at a team’s overall roster before signing and skip training camp and get ready for the season with their own personal trainers. 

One of the deepest positions in this free-agent class is running back. Multiple former Pro Bowl running backs are still on the market. There are a couple of teams around the league who could still use a veteran to add to their running back rotation. Here is where the top free agent edge rushers could land.

Le’Veon Bell to the Miami Dolphins

Less than a year ago Le’Veon Bell had the option to sign with the Miami Dolphins. But Bell decided to join the Kansas City Chiefs backfield with 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire than to become the lead back in Miami or Buffalo. Bell was more interested in joining a championship contender than joining an unproven contender like the Bills and Dolphins who both ended up with over ten wins this past season. 

Bell started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he quickly became known as one of if not the best running back in football. He had three seasons with over 1,800 scrimmage yards and 10+ touchdowns. Bell was voted to three Pro Bowls, named a First-Team All-Pro twice, and Second Team All-Pro once in 2016. After a conflict with the Steelers involving a contract extension, Bell hit the market as a free agent and signed with the New York Jets for 4 years $52 million. He only had 789 rushing yards in his first season in New York. Bell was released by the New York Jets following his return from injury in Week 5. this past season He had demanded that the team trade him, but after not finding a trade partner the Jets decided to release him. Bell rushed for 328 yards and two touchdowns on 82 attempts in games with both teams last season. He only started four games combined for both the Jets and Chiefs.

It felt like the Miami Dolphins were beat out in multiple situations when they attempted to add a star running back this offseason. Miami went after Chris Carson, Kerryon Johnson, and 2021 Second Round pick Javonte Williams at different points of the offseason. But they could not land any of those three backs. The Dolphins were able to sign former Los Angeles Ram Malcolm Brown to a two-year $3.5 million contract this offseason and still have Myles Gaskin on their roster from the year before. Gaskin led the Dolphins in all rushing categories putting up 584 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 142 attempts in ten games (seven starts). Miami also has Salvon Ahmed who was a great find for them last offseason. Last season’s undrafted free agent rookie rushed for 319 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 75 attempts in six games (four starts). 

If Miami signed Bell they realistically cannot expect him to be the player he was in Pittsburgh. But they can hope he can compliment Gaskin by putting up the production that he did in New York. It is at least worth it for the Dolphins to kick the tires on the former All-Pro since their backfield is still very unproven. Miami is expected to still be a run-first team despite adding Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle this offseason. So it would make sense for the Dolphins to make sure they have as much talent as they can get at this point in their backfield. Miami has playoff aspirations and may look to achieve more. Signing Bell would make sure the Dolphins did all in their power to make sure their backfield isn’t holding them back.

Prediction: Le’Veon Bell signs with the Miami Dolphins for one year $1 million 

Todd Gurley to the Kansas City Chiefs

Out of all of the remaining free-agent running backs, Todd Gurley had gained the most attention from teams. Gurley had visited the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens this offseason. The Lions had an interest in signing Gurley “on their terms“. The Lions would make a lot of sense considering they appear to be embracing a run-first approach with their lack of weapons at receiver, new Lions general manager Brad Holmes was a major part of the Rams front office who drafted Gurley who almost won them to a Super Bowl in 2017-18. Gurley would also be reuniting with former Rams’ teammate quarterback Jared Goff who was traded to the Lions this offseason. However, it appears at this point the Lions won’t be signing Gurley and don’t need to with a backfield featuring D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. 

During his time in St. Louis/Los Angeles Gurley was one of the most dominant running backs in the league. In three of his five seasons with the Rams Gurley rushed for 1,100+ yards and had over ten touchdowns. In two of those seasons, Gurley led the league in rushing touchdowns. His accolades with the Rams include Offensive Rookie of the Year (2015), Offensive Player of the Year (2017), three Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pro selections, and Second Team All-Pro recognition in 2015. Following the 2019-20 season, the Rams released Gurley two seasons into his four-year $60 million deal. He then signed a one-year $5.5 million prove-it deal with the Atlanta Falcons. He rushed for a career-low 678 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries. The Falcons decided not to bring back Gurley and elected to sign veteran Mike Davis to a two-year $5.5 million deal. 

The Kansas City Chiefs were in the middle of the pack in most major rushing stats last season. However, they were in a five-way tie for 22nd in the league in rushing touchdowns with 13. Only six teams had fewer rushing touchdowns than the Chiefs did a season ago. Having Patrick Mahomes as the face of the offense can be to blame for most of that. However, it would be a major help to the offense to have a running back on the roster capable of punching it into the endzone when they’re close rather than relying upon Mahomes to scramble or shovel pass it to All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was one of the worst running backs in the league in the red zone last season. Within the five-yard line, Edwards-Helaire was one for nine on attempts to punch it into the endzone. Edwards-Helaire is a great pass-catching running back but struggles in short-yardage situations. 

Although Todd Gurley’s health issues have regressed him to the point where he runs like he has been in the league for ten years despite only playing in the league for six, one constant throughout Gurley’s career has been his ability to score when his teams get in close. Since 2015, Gurley has rushed for 67 touchdowns. Last year in arguably Gurley’s worst season he still managed to have nine rushing touchdowns which was tied for 11th last season. Kansas City should consider pairing Edwards-Helaire with a former All-Pro running back for the second season in a row, but pair him with a back who compliments his skillset in Gurley. Signing in Kansas City would give Gurley another opportunity to be a part of a Super Bowl team and allow him to display what he is still capable of. 

Prediction: Todd Gurley signs with the Kansas City Chiefs for one year $1.5 million deal

Adrian Peterson to the Los Angeles Chargers

Adrian Peterson is one of the few running backs in the NFL who definitely will be receiving a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio after he retires. Peterson spent his first ten seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. A majority of running backs don’t even play in the league ten seasons, let alone play as dominant as Peterson had during that span. During his time in Minnesota, he led the league in rushing three separate times and led the league in rushing touchdowns twice. Peterson accumulated multiple accolades including league MVP (2012), NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Rookie of the Year, seven Pro Bowl appearances, four First-Team All-Pro acknowledgments, and three Second Team All-Pro acknowledgments. He also was a unanimous selection onto the 2010’s All-Decade Team.

Since leaving Minnesota Peterson had defied the odds and continued to be a major part of multiple team’s backfields for the next four seasons. After a tough 2017 season where he split time with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals, Peterson ran for over 1,000 yards at age 33 in his first season in Washington. He followed it up the following season with just under 900 rushing yards in his second season in Washington. This past year Peterson started ten games for the Detroit Lions at age 35. As it stands right now Peterson is the fifth all-time in rushing yards in NFL history. 

Last offseason the Los Angeles Chargers gave their lead back Austin Ekeler a 4 year $25.4 million contract. Ekeler had outshined former first-round pick Melvin Gordon and was well deserving of being paid like the team’s lead back. But last season Ekeler got hurt and missed six games last year. The Chargers struggled to run the ball during that six-game stretch. Their best running back when Ekeler got hurt was Kallen Ballage who is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It would make a lot of sense for the Chargers to bring in Peterson for a lot of reasons. Los Angeles is a warm-weather city that is extremely attractive to free agents and playing there could open up opportunities for Peterson in media after he retires. Secondly, his playstyle compliments Ekeler very well. Ekeler is most dominant as a receiver out of the backfield. If Peterson was brought in to Los Angeles, he could take on some of the between the tackles and short-yardage runs while Ekeler can focus on being a receiving threat out of the backfield. The Chargers could even explore the option of having both Peterson and Ekeler on the field at the same time, lining up Peterson in the backfield and Ekeler in the slot as a wide receiver for a couple of plays a game.

Also, another feature of the Chargers that would be attractive to Peterson is the fact that they are considered a borderline playoff team. Despite being one of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, Peterson had only been to the playoffs four times in his career and hadn’t been to the playoffs since the 2015-16 season. At this of his career, Peterson has done it all except play winning and meaningful football. Peterson has only played past the Wild Card round of the playoffs once in his career back in the 2009-10 season.

Prediction: Adrian Peterson signs a one year $2.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers

Frank Gore to the Arizona Cardinals

Similar to Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore is one of the only running backs still in the NFL that will be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame shortly after he retires. He has played for four different teams over the last four seasons. But Gore began his career with the San Francisco 49ers. During his ten seasons with the 49ers, he had been named to the Pro Bowl five times and was named a Second Team All-Pro in 2006. After leaving San Francisco, Gore played three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and followed that with one-year stints with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets After only starting one game his rookie season, Gore has started 217 of 227 games since 2006-07. That is an unreal feat for a running back. Gore has the NFL record for most games played for a running back (241) and is the first player in NFL history with 12 consecutive seasons with 1,200+ scrimmage yards. A resume like that earned him a spot on the 2010’s All-Decade Team.

It is unclear what to expect out of the Arizona Cardinals backfield this upcoming season. Their projected starter Chase Edmonds has only started four games in his career at this point and has never reached 500 rushing yards in a single season. Last season Edmonds took snaps away from starter Kenyan Drake being the team’s primary receiving back. He had a career-high 53 receptions for 402 yards and four receiving touchdowns last season. They also signed former Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner to a prove-it one year $1.75 million deal. In Conner’s first season as a starter in 2018-19, he was voted to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns along with 497 receiving yards. Since then multiple injuries have kept Conner off the field or limited in the action he has seen. Pittsburgh decided to move off of Conner and go in another direction at running back.

The best-case scenario for Arizona’s backfield in 2021-22 is for Kliff Kingsbury’s offense to put Conner in a position to play similar to his best similar to what it did for Kenyan Drake while reducing his carry count having him split carries with Edmonds. For a team that has playoff aspirations, there is a lot of uncertainty in Arizona’s backfield. That is why the Cardinals should bring in Frank Gore. Over the last couple of seasons, Gore has remarkably been extremely consistent with his production despite being in his late thirties. At worst Gore could be a veteran presence in a locker room filled with both veterans and young players. But if Conner cannot remain healthy and Edmonds struggles to play like a lead back, Gore can be a safe option in the backfield that could be good for between 8-12 carries a game.

Arizona is also a great landing spot for Gore because it has been the final landing spot for multiple veterans and future Hall of Famers looking to finish their career in a great warm-weather city. At age 38 Gore will likely be playing his final season this year if he hasn’t already.

Prediction: Frank Gore signs a one year $1.75 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals

Duke Johnson Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons

For just over half of a decade Duke Johnson Jr. has been one of the best complimentary backs in the league. Despite only starting 17 of 91 career games, he has been an important part of the offenses he has played for during his time in Cleveland and Houston. During each of his first three years in Cleveland, Johnson had over 800 scrimmage yards. In his last season in Cleveland Johnson’s role was reduced. Then after receiving a three-year contract extension Johnson asked to be traded and was moved to the Houston Texans for a 2020 Third Round pick. Johnson had a career-high 410 rushing yards in his first season in Houston then split carries with David Johnson this past season. The new Texans administration cut Duke Johnson this offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons lost their best two running backs Todd Gurley and Brian Hill in free agency. They replaced them with veteran running back Mike Davis. The Falcons signed Davis to a two-year $5.5 million deal after a career year with the Carolina Panthers.

Davis was drafted in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 then after two seasons was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle started Davis for six games in 2017 after being activated off the practice squad late in the year. The following season Davis posted career highs in a rotational role. Davis signed a two-year $6 million deal with the Chicago Bears in 2019 but did not finish his first season with the team. He was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. During his first full year with the Panthers this past season, Davis was forced into a large role because of multiple injuries to former All-Pro Christian McCaffrey. Davis showed during his twelve starts last season that he is capable of being a team’s starting running back. T

His performance last season was enough for the Falcons to feel comfortable with Davis being their lead back next season. Based on Atlanta’s running back depth chart Davis may be the workhorse back for the Falcons next season. For a team trying to be competitive in 2020, it is risky having Davis as the team’s only capable running back on the roster. Atlanta should add a veteran backup or change of pace back in case Davis gets hurt or needs help carrying the load. That role would be perfect for Duke Johnson. That is the exact role Johnson had last season in Houston. Johnson could serve as Davis’ primary backup and take a couple carries a game when Davis needs a breather.

Prediction: Duke Johnson Jr. signs a one year $990,000 deal with the Atlanta Falcons

The post Top fits for the remaining FA RBs appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Drew Feinberg

As an NFL fan, free agency is one of the most exciting times of the year. Hopeless, die-hard fans sitting on pins and needles, pleading for players like Deshaun Watson to join their uninspired franchise and lead them to the promised land. There’s a certain vibe surrounding free agency that just tickles my fancy. And with the 2021 NFL free agency frenzy about to begin, I know the question that every football fan has been asking themselves since the Super Bowl confetti flew; where in the hell is Frank Gore going to play next season? 

Before I jump into things, I know what you’re thinking; there is absolutely no way that the soon-to-be 38 year old Gore will want to come back for his 17th NFL season. That, my friends, is where I think you’re wrong. 

Gore is a freak of nature. I mean, obviously; he’s a professional football player (duh), but the man has single handedly changed the average age of running backs. About to enter his 17th season in the NFL, Gore sits atop the games running back leader boards, ranking: 

• 1st All-Time, Games Played (241)
• 3rd All-Time, Career Rushing Yards (16,000)
• 3rd All-Time, Career Rushing Attempts (3,735)
• 19th All-Time, Rushing Touchdowns (81)

The crafty veteran didn’t just reach these marks by sheer volume alone. Gore was an absolute beast in his prime. The five-time Pro Bowler was the first player in NFL history to record 12 consecutive 1,200-yards seasons from scrimmage, and is still producing in his later years.

The fact that Gore’s possible return is even a conversation is a testament to the man’s work ethic and instinctive football knowledge over the past 17 years. And the fact that he overcame two ACL injuries in college is just the cherry on top.

Now, I’m not saying Gore is going to step into a franchise and be the missing piece to an offense, because he’s not. Let’s face the facts; Gore is an all-time great, but there’s no room for a sympathy player on the 53-man roster. An aging running back is going to have a tough time finding a job after rushing for 653 yards and two touchdowns (Gore’s 2020 statline), no matter who he is. However, there are many young running back rooms out there who could severely benefit from Gore’s presence alone. 

Here are three teams that should look to add Gore to their running back room in 2021.

San Francisco 49ers

In his 10 seasons in San Francisco, Gore amassed 13,956 scrimmage yards and 75 total touchdowns; and when he decides to hang up the cleats, his number 21 will surely be retired in the city forever. If 2021 were to be Gore’s last season, it would make sense for it to end exactly where his career started. 

“I would love to wear that No. 21 jersey one more time,” Gore told ESPN, via 95.7 The Game. While Gore admits his desire to return to San Francisco, he does not have much, if any, leverage in the situation. 

The 49ers currently have $25 million in cap space. With big name free agent Trent Williams to re-sign, as well as running backs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson still under contract, Gore may not be on top of the Niners priority list.

However, Gore may fit perfectly into the system Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan implements. 

One of the most efficient short-yardage backs of all time, Gore could come in very handy on the goal line for San Francisco, who only rushed the ball 14 times from within five yards of the goal line in 2020. 

A reunion between Gore and the 49ers certainly sounds intriguing. The sure-fire Hall of Famer going back to where his career started? Now that’s a story that just needs to be written.

Kansas City Chiefs

Let’s face it; Gore is not going to want to sign with a rebuilding franchise. He did so with the Jets in 2020, and that was an all-around disaster. But seriously, why would Gore waste a precious year of his storied career to be on a sinking franchise? That is where the Kansas City Chiefs come in.

With quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs are sure to be Super Bowl favorites for the next decade. The good news for Gore is that the Chiefs running back room is one of the youngest in the league. 

Led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Age: 21), Gore can step in and provide a much-needed veteran presence to an already championship winning team.

Edwards-Helaire was fairly atrocious from inside the five yard line during his rookie season, posting:

• 9 Carries
• 3 Rushing Yards
• 1 Touchdown

While the Chiefs tend to run misdirection plays on the goal line, I’d say that’s more-so due to lack of trust in the running back position. 

The Chiefs don’t have a lot, if any, money to play around with. However, I’m going to chalk this landing spot up to the old saying: “cap space doesn’t even really exist.” 

The Chiefs can restructure some contracts, cut dead cap, and make a small amount of room to fill out their running back room with the Hall of Famer, Gore.

Buffalo Bills

Two years ago, when Gore played on the Buffalo Bills, Tom Brady was still the quarterback of the New England Patriots. Fast forward to present day, and the Bills are revitalized, coming off their first AFC East title in 15 years, and poised to march to the Super Bowl.

With Gore’s playing career coming to an end in the near future, it could be beneficial for him to go to a team in which he knows the system. The fact that current Bills running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss can’t convert at the goal line makes this the cherry on top for Gore. 

While I understand that Moss was essentially drafted in 2020 to replace the aging Gore, the landing spot makes a lot of sense.

The Bills three leading rushers (Josh Allen, Moss, Singletary) converted on 31.43% of their goal line rushing opportunities, which is pedestrian compared to Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson’s conversion rate of 83.3%. 

I get that Gore isn’t a pretty addition, or one that fans will be clamoring for; but it’s a smart move for a contending team that simply needs to fill in the cracks in their pursuit of a Super Bowl.

The post Frank Gore: 3 Potential Landing Spots appeared first on Pro Football Mania.