San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James (23) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers backup running back LaMichael James feels that he is logjammed on the team’s roster and would like to receive more opportunities to shine. It looks like he believes his best way to show his skills is by leaving the 49ers and getting an opportunity elsewhere, and this isn’t the first time we’ve heard trade rumors regarding the former Oregon Ducks standout. James is foregoing a $50,000 workout bonus for the 49ers offseason conditioning program in order to workout in his home at Texas, with the reason given being the birth of his child. But the main reason why James isn’t working out with the 49ers is because he is open to a trade, and it will be interesting to see if the 49ers get a suitor and are able to give James the change of scenery he has been hinting at.
The 49ers, however, say they aren’t putting James on the trading block at this moment in time, as the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows reports that GM Trent Baalke stated the team “does not plan” to deal the 24-year-old RB, who would net just about nothing in a trade.
It’s important to note that Baalke seemed to only state “plan” instead of ruling out the possibility entirely, so this story isn’t going away. The Kansas City Chiefs have already been whispered as a potential suitor, and James is a playmaking back with great explosiveness, college production, special teams ability, and high draft pedigree, so he could be worth the late-round flier in a trade.