Santa Clara, California – Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers has expressed the intention to lessen star running back Christian McCaffrey’s workload.
During the team’s offseason program, backup running backs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason were seen honing their pass-catching skills, potentially providing more options for Shanahan in the upcoming season.
Despite not participating in practice during the offseason program, McCaffrey signed a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season, securing his future with the team.
Shanahan highlighted the importance of pass-catching abilities for running backs, emphasizing that both Mitchell and Mason showed promising skills in that aspect during practices this spring.
As Mitchell and Mason continue to develop, the 49ers may distribute more snaps to them to reduce the burden on McCaffrey throughout the season.
Aside from the running backs’ progress, the team’s mandatory minicamp also saw offensive tackle Trent Williams’s return after attending his daughter’s graduation and the involvement of newly signed veteran tight end Logan Thomas in practice.
Notable performances included second-year tight end Brayden Willis’s improvement in the passing game and veteran Leonard Floyd’s solid play as a defensive end, showing potential for a more productive season.
The 49ers also focused on special teams play during the minicamp, with various players getting reps as return men, showcasing the team’s attention to detail in all facets of the game.
Overall, Shanahan and the coaching staff are optimistic about the team’s progress and potential for the upcoming season based on the developments observed during the mandatory minicamp.