Niners Trade RB Jordan Mason to Minnesota

In an offseason already marked by significant changes, the San Francisco 49ers have made another move by trading one of their interim starters from last season. The 49ers have reached an agreement to send running back Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings. In exchange, San Francisco will receive a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another asset to their future draft strategy. Additionally, both teams are swapping Day 3 selections in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, with the 49ers now holding the No. 160 overall pick, while the Vikings acquire the No. 187 selection.

As part of the trade, the Vikings have committed to a two-year contract with Mason, which includes over $7 million fully guaranteed and has a maximum value of $12 million. Earlier this offseason, the 49ers placed a second-round tender on Mason, who was classified as a restricted free agent. This tender would have positioned him to earn $5.3 million for the upcoming season; however, with his move to Minnesota, that financial arrangement is no longer in effect.

The 25-year-old running back entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech in 2022 and has since spent his entire professional career with the 49ers. Over his tenure in San Francisco, Mason amassed 1,375 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns.

Mason's performance peaked during the 2024 season, when he emerged as a critical contributor, particularly following an injury to star running back Christian McCaffrey. He started the season strong, recording three 100-yard rushing games in the first month alone, showcasing his potential as a dynamic playmaker. However, his production declined following McCaffrey’s return to the lineup. Unfortunately, in Week 13, Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain, which led to him being placed on season-ending injured reserve. Throughout 12 games—six of which he started—Mason compiled 789 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 11 receptions for 91 receiving yards.

As he embarks on a new chapter with the Vikings, Mason joins a formidable backfield led by Aaron Jones, who re-signed with Minnesota this offseason on a two-year, $20 million extension. With Jones cemented as the lead back, Mason is expected to serve as a premier backup, seeing solid playing time as the No. 2 option in Minnesota.