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UPDATE 5:45 p.m.: Mostert’s agent told Ian Rapoport the running back wants to be in line with Tevin Coleman, who is making $4.55 million in 2020.
Spoke with @TesslerSports about RB Raheem Mostert and his trade demand from #49ers. His request was simply to bring Mostert in line with the highest paid RBs on the team. Tevin Coleman makes $4.55M in 2020 and that’s where Mostert wants to be. He has two years left on his deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 8, 2020
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is well-known for getting the most out of his running backs. Now, the 49ers best running back last season wants out. Raheem Mostert has formally requested a trade through his agent.
After months of unproductive talks with the 49ers about fairly adjusting Raheem Mostert's contract (which paid him for special teams) we have requested a trade. Disappointing that it would come to this for a guy who led all NFL RBs in YPC & helped lead them to the Super Bowl.
— Brett Tessler (@TesslerSports) July 8, 2020
Mostert is on the second year of a three-year contract extension he signed in March 2019. He received a $1 million signing bonus at the time, and is due $2,575,000 in 2020 and $2,875,000 in 2021.
At the time, he was primarily a special teams player. He impressed in limited opportunities in 2018 before breaking his arm, but then took a big step forward in 2019. He led the team with 772 rushing yards and 5.6 yards per carry, to go along with eight touchdowns. Matt Breida was second on the team with 623 yards at 5.1 yards per carry, and Tevin Coleman was third at 544 and 4.0.
The 49ers dealt Matt Breida in the offseason and restructured Jerick McKinnon’s contract. It is not entirely clear what the 49ers running back depth chart will look like two months from now when the NFL season is scheduled to get started. Even if Mostert is not traded, it’s no sure thing he is the No. 1 back. He seems to be the most explosive of the group, but Kyle Shanahan is known for mixing and matching his backs. From a fantasy perspective, Mostert could gain some value in a trade simply if he ends up in a place where he can be the clear No. 1.
On the other hand, it’s possible Kyle Shanahan is the one who can get the most out of Mostert. It’s a tough situation for Mostert. If Shanahan’s unique rushing attack can boost his Mostert’s value, it makes sense to stick around. But given the limited life cycle of a running back, it makes sense to get paid as soon as one can. Training camp is three weeks away if it starts on time, so the 49ers and Mostert might have some work to do in the meantime.