Report: Jerick McKinnon to Sign 4-Year, $30 Million Deal with 49ers

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon intends to sign a four-year deal worth $30 million with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal pays him $7.5 million annually.

McKinnon spent the first four years of his career with the Vikings. He only started 14 games but he was a consistent factor in the team’s rushing attack.

Drafted in the 3rd-round of the 2014 draft, the Georgia Southern grad impressed as rookie. He ran for 538 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per carry in a timeshare with bruiser Matt Asiata.

The following season Adrian Peterson returned from suspension and drew the lion’s share of carries. Despite playing second fiddle to Peterson, McKinnon registered 444 yards from scrimmage while averaging 5.2 yards per carry.

In 2016 McKinnon once again took on a larger-than-expected role, this time after Peterson suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. Splitting carries with Asiata, McKinnon rushed for 539 rushing yards with two touchdowns. With injury troubles plaguing the offensive line all year, the Vikings rushing attack was the league’s worst. Still, he averaged 3.4 yards per carry.

His 2017 season may have been the most impressive. The 25 year-old posted career-highs in rushing yards (570), total touchdowns (5), receiving yards (421), and catches (51). McKinnon also impressed in the playoffs. After scoring a touchdown on the ground against the Saints, he averaged 4.0 YPC and caught 11 passes for 86 yards against the Eagles, leading the team in both rushing and receiving yards.

After the season McKinnon voiced his desire to become a feature back in a team’s offense. It looks as though the 49ers will give him that chance.

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