© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA — Jerick McKinnon is finally getting the chance he never had.
The 25-year-old running back spent his four career seasons in Minnesota, stuck amid a running back cycle that delegated him to third-down duties. Even after longtime staple Adrian Peterson left the rotation, McKinnon’s role remained the same. The Vikings added Latavius Murray last offseason. Then they spent their first-round draft pick on Florida State star Dalvin Cook.
McKinnon, eager for a more prominent role, was seemingly lost in the shuffle. Now, he has that chance.
On Wednesday morning, the 49ers signed McKinnon to a four-year deal that includes $11.7 million guaranteed this upcoming season. San Francisco chose not to re-sign Carlos Hyde in free agency, preferring to pursue McKinnon as its starting running back moving forward.
“It’s big for me,” McKinnon said. “It was what I was hoping to have, hoping and looking for. Staying in Minnesota and being in that third-down back role all the time, I was really looking for an opportunity.”
After 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan evaluated every free agent running back — a crop that included trusted starters such as Dion Lewis and Isaiah Crowell — it was McKinnon that jumped out. He blocked, eluded tacklers, caught balls out of the backfield, and ran violently, Shanahan saw.
McKinnon quickly became one of the 49ers’ top offseason priorities.
“I watched the tape of everybody who was available, and then we try to decide who the best one is. That’s how we saw Jerick,” Shanahan said. “Jerick is very versatile, and we can do a lot of things with him.”
After entering the league with Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman in 2014, McKinnon saw his counterpart blossom under Shanahan. Freeman recorded back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons in 2015 and 2016, while combining for 3,000 total yards in two years, during Shanahan’s two seasons as Falcons offensive coordinator.
Early into free agency, as McKinnon surveyed the teams needing a running back, he identified the 49ers as a possible destination.
“For me, (Shanahan’s) offense was the perfect fit,” McKinnon said. “As soon as the season ended it was one of my top priorities, like if they need a running back I would love to go there.”
McKinnon’s dynamic running style figures to translate well into Shanahan’s system.
McKinnon — who will wear No. 28 with his new team—caught 51 of his 68 targets last year and averaged 8.3 yards per catch. While he is one of the league’s fastest running backs, he is also one of the best blockers at the position.
McKinnon has never posted the statistics of a feature running back throughout his four-year career. Much of that, however, can be attributed to lack of opportunity, which won’t be an issue for McKinnon any longer.
“For me, it’s about maximizing that and proving to myself I can be a top running back in this league,” McKinnon said. “That’s the opportunity that I want. That’s the opportunity they are giving me.”
Brad Almquist is KNBR.com’s 49ers beat writer. For full 49ers coverage, follow Brad at @bquist13
New 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon joined KNBR for the first time on Thursday afternoon with Lund and Frandsen. Listen to the full interview below.
