Raheem Mostert requests trade: 5 NFL teams that should deal with 49ers
Raheem Mostert has requested a trade away from the San Francisco 49ers.
An undrafted free agent in 2015, running back Raheem Mostert finally found a home with the San Francisco 49ers starting at the end of his second season. He’s spent the full year with the Niners over the past three seasons now, firmly establishing himself as part of the offense in the 2019 NFL season.
Last year, Mostert led the 49ers with 772 yards rushing and eight touchdowns to go along with 14 receptions for 180 yards and two scores. His true breakout performance came in the NFC Championship Game as he ran amok over the Packers with 29 carries for 220 yards and four touchdowns. He played well in the Super Bowl too, notching 12 carries for 58 yards and a score. And that might’ve been his final act with San Francisco.
On Wednesday, Mostert’s agent (Brett Tessler) stated on Twitter that he and his client had requested a trade from the 49ers after contract negotiations about restructuring his deal had been unproductive.
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
According to Over The Cap, Mostert is due $3.158 million in 2020 and $3.508 million in 2021. However, only $1 million of that total is guaranteed ($666,667 in 2020, $333,334 in 2021). With that, it’s no wonder that Mostert believes he’s being underpaid as a running back.
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So if he and the 49ers are unable to reach a deal, plenty of NFL teams should be interested in a Raheem Mostert trade. These five, in particular, would make sense as landing spots for the running back.
Which NFL teams should trade for Raheem Mostert?
5. Washington NFL team
Yes, the Washington NFL team has a young running back in Derrius Guice and an old-timer in Adrian Peterson. However, the former has endured extreme difficulty staying healthy to this point in his career while the latter has already started slowing down a bit, even if he’s still fine.
With a young quarterback, having a player of Mostert’s talent could help Washington a tremendous amount. Not only would Dwayne Haskins have a home-run threat in the rushing attack but a capable pass-catcher as well. Subsequently, if the price is right, Ron Rivera’s club would be wise to make a call to the 49ers.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh offense was a disaster last season, suffering through injury issues at quarterback and running back. In the case of the backfield, James Conner is back in 2020 with the hope of reclaiming his status as a true bell-cow back. Even if that happens, though, the Steelers need an answer for beyond this season and a complement to maximize Conner’s effectiveness. Considering how Mostert shined in San Francisco’s committee, he could be a great option.
3. Chicago Bears
In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears used one of the scarce top-100 draft picks over the past two years on running back David Montgomery. He joined forces with the ultra-shifty and dangerous Tarik Cohen. And yet, the rushing attack was paltry in the Windy City just a season ago.
Adding Raheem Mostert to the Matt Nagy offense could help with that. It’s no secret that the Bears offense has been hindered by quarterback play but life could be made easier for either Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles with three quality options splitting time in the backfield.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones II has yet to totally pan out in Tampa Bay while the Buccaneers also drafted Ke’Shawn Vaughn in the mid-rounds this offseason. But we know how much Tom Brady utilizes his running backs and there is no proven commodity on the roster right now. Thus, adding a game-breaking, versatile talent to Jones and Vaughn could be extremely helpful. With all the weaponry already present on the Tampa offense, Mostert would make them downright terrifying.
1. New England Patriots
Even with the addition of Cam Newton recently, the New England Patriots are still likely to rely heavily on the running game. But the truth is that the combination of Sony Michel, James White and Rex Burkhead can be fine, yet they don’t move the needle a tremendous amount.
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Raheem Mostert, however, would. His ability to take it to the house whenever the ball touches his hands could be a rich asset for the Patriots offense. Moreover, his versatility would pair Newton with a player who would be at least similar to what Christian McCaffrey offered him in Carolina, thus maximizing their investment at quarterback.