The Facts: The 49ers head into the 2019 offseason with five running backs on the roster and a decision to make on who will get the bulk of the time in the backfield. HC Kyle Shanahan explained on the Adam Schefter podcast how the decision on which running backs will see time is not his to make. Instead, it will be up to the players. “Everyone keeps asking me that like I’m in charge of that or something,” Shanahan said with a laugh. “It’s up to the players. They will define their roles. That’s kind of what’s unique about this.”
Diehards Line:The team signed Tevin Coleman to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million. Both Shanahan and GM John Lynch admitted that they weren’t in the market for another back but it was too good of a deal to pass up. Coleman played in Shanahan’s system in Atlanta which should make his adaption to the 49ers seamless. The team expects Jerick McKinnon to be ready for the offseason program, but they won’t rush him back as he recovers from his ACL injury. Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson and special teams standout Raheem Mostert round out the group which is not at a loss for speed. “They all can do a bunch of different things,” Shanahan said. “The one thing that they have in common is they all run 4.40 or less so I don’t have to look back there to see if I have a slow guy or a fast guy, they are all fast.” Shanahan pointed out the varying qualities of the group and also recalled 2018 when injuries plagued the team. They very well could need all five ball carriers. But for now, it's going to make some very difficult decisions for fantasy owners. We'll be watching for more.