Frank Gore has heard the rumors. The running back will be a free agent in the upcoming offseason and at 31, the future is not bright regardless of what his stats say. Gore has been one of the best offensive performers for the San Francisco 49ers despite how inconsistent the team has looked this year. However, with a slew of younger backs sitting behind him, Gore understands his future is uncertain at best.
The free agent market for running backs is weak and while Gore has the resume to demand a solid multi-year contract from a team, he is going to be hard pressed to find someone actually willing to give it to him, the 49ers included. Gore admits that teams favor younger running backs and he is sure a return to San Francisco is in the cards for him.
"I'd love to be back here but they got younger guys," Gore said, via The Jim Rome Show. "You know how they feel about running backs. That's why each week I go out to play for my team and to play for myself, and also to show other teams I can still be Frank Gore."
At the moment, the 49ers are thin at the running back position. Kendall Hunter is on injured reserve after tearing his ACL. He is expected to return to San Francisco in 2015. LaMichael James was released after he complained about a lack of playing time. Marcus Lattimore announced his retirement after his comeback from a gruesome leg injury ended with more knee pain. San Francisco has Gore and rookie Carlos Hyde. However, most have assumed that hyde was drafted to be the running back of the future, leaving Gore to seek out a new team.
It does not help that the 49ers have other contracts they need to worry about in the offseason. Michael Crabtree is seeking out a new deal. Vernon Davis wants more money. Aldon Smith had his 2015 option picked up, but he will need a new contract soon. There simply is no room for a 31-year-old running back on the roster when the 49ers can simply get someone for cheap to replace him.
There will be plenty of teams ready to offer Gore money. He has proven that age is not a factor with his skillset. Teams in free agency needing that veteran presence on the roster will be lining up to give Gore a new contract.