Gore: You gotta tell Jed and Kyle, just bring me back

On Friday, we discussed how 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon bid his farewell to the team. Also, Tevin Coleman is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent. Both runners were relegated to special teams duty during the final part of the regular season and are unexpected to return to the Bay Area.

You have Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr., and you’re hoping JaMycal Hasty returns from injury. Why not bring back a familiar face, say, one of the franchise greats and one of the all-time leading rushers in the NFL?

Frank Gore was a guest on 95.7 The Game Friday as discussed the prospect of returning to the 49ers for the 2021 season. It didn’t sound like Gore was interested in signing for one day and retiring:

“Oh, oh, I’d come back fast,” Gore said. “Man, I’d love to wear that No. 21 jersey one more time. If that was to happen, that would definitely be my last year, if I could come back and sign with the 49ers. I respect Jed, I respect the York family, I respect Kyle, I feel like one of the best play-callers in the game right now. You gotta tell Jed and Kyle, just bring me back.”

From a football standpoint, Gore would make sense. San Francisco needs a short-yardage back. They could also use somebody who is an above-average pass protector. Gore knows where to go, which is half of the battle, and would probably have saved the quarterbacks from a sack or two this past season.

Then you have Gore’s legacy. He’s going to retire a Niner when it’s all said and done. If this ends up being his last season, what better way to go out than with the team you started on as you make one last Super Bowl run?

The 49ers were likely going to sign a running back or add somebody during free agency. Unlike Mostert and Wilson Jr., you don’t have to worry about Gore’s availability. Would you take Gore back knowing he’d be a contributor?