49ers Kyle Shanahan alludes to RB2 competition between Mason, Mitchell

Jul 31, 2024, 7:34 AM | Updated: 8:15 am

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 7: Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 21-20. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The San Francisco 49ers have long been about the old cliche of “Iron Sharpens Iron”. That’s why it should be no surprise that behind their superstar running back, there’s a competition ensuing between Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell.

That sentiment was echoed by 49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan Monday. Asked about how the backup RBs have been doing, the coach was complimentary of all of his ballcarriers, but honed in on both Mason and Mitchell specifically. In the past, Mason has attempting to usurp Mitchell for the No.2 role behind McCaffrey, having standout performances in both training camps and preseasons. But every time he has been foiled by the status of Mitchell, with his 2021 rookie performance still etched in the coaches’ minds.

Now three years removed, and a few nagging knee injuries later, the No.2 spot feels wide open for either man to take hold of in 2024. And the early returns say Mason is leading the charge.

“I’d say, nothing against Elijah, there’s been no fall off in Elijah at all, but [Jordan Mason] ‘JP’ runs at a very high level,”Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “I see in both of those guys, that if Christian is not in there, not going, I mean we always expect no matter who we’ve had in the past, that number two, number three, sometimes our fourth guy comes in. And if their number is called, we expect them to run like a starting back…”

Shanahan on Mason and Mitchell’s battle for the backup running back job 👀 pic.twitter.com/lZkrU2DCFm

— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 29, 2024

The 49ers have long had success with finding a running back rotation of efficiency. From Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. to McCaffrey & Co., Shanahan always finds a way to have a balanced rushing attack. And that’s the key for Jordan Mason, funny that balance as a complete RB.

Mason, 25, came into the NFL as strictly a downhill, bruising tailback. And while that role was needed on the 49ers, to get more touches, he needed to evolve. The Georgia Tech standout has done that the last two years, now emerging as an every-down RB, both on and off the field.

“He’s improved so much since the first time I’ve met him. Just the way he is in the meetings, the way he is out at practice,” McCaffrey said about Mason recently. “I think he looks way more complete than he has been. He’s always been able to do it, it’s just being consistent with it. And I think, you see now he’s making things happen in the pass game and the run game that are just consistent with it.”

Of course, a vote of confidence from his peers is one thing. Showing it on the gridiron every day is a whole different challenge, especially when the 49ers’ philosophy is finding a fresh ballcarrier in every draft class.

But for now, the competition to watch is between Mason and Mitchell, both looking fresh as can be through the first weeks of 2024 training camp.

“JP wasn’t there right away, but he got there pretty quick. He did a hell of a job for us last year. We’ll see how camp plays out. But I love both of those guys and got some depth behind them too,” Shanahan stated.