With Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell both headed for free agency, the team will need reinforcements alongside star running back Christian McCaffrey and rookie Isaac Guerendo.
While the 49ers are expected to target the position in the NFL Draft, adding a veteran to complement McCaffrey’s skill set is another possibility.
One intriguing option? Najee Harris.
KNBR host and podcaster Larry Kruger believes Harris, a Bay Area native, could be a great fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense – if the price is right.
“I don’t know what the running back market is gonna look like, and I don’t know the 49ers’ thinking, but I do know Najee Harris, and I know that he’s a Bay Area kid. I know he would love to play for the 49ers and I know the agent pretty well, Doug Henderickson. I love Najee as a power back. The 49ers might need a power element to punch it in inside the five,” Kruger said.
The Steelers have not ruled out bringing Harris back, but with the 2025 draft class loaded with talented running backs, the market for established backs could be soft. Kruger wonders if that could work in the 49ers’ favor.
“I gotta think he’s gonna get more money than they can afford in free agency, but maybe not. I mean, he doesn’t have great numbers, and I don’t know, I’m not sure how the league views Najee and what kind of market he’s gonna have; what kind of market there’s going to be for running backs in a year where the draft is so deep at running backs.
“But I’ll tell ya, if they’re going to splurge for any offensive back, I love Najee Harris. I think Najee Harris could help the 49ers run the ball inside the five. I think he can be a power complement to McCaffry, and that could be really, really good.”
Of course, the idea of Harris going from Pittsburgh’s workhorse back to a secondary role in San Francisco might surprise some fans.
But if the financial landscape limits his options, a short-term deal with the 49ers could be a smart play.
Pairing with McCaffrey would allow Harris to showcase his power running while avoiding the wear and tear of a heavy workload.
If he thrives in that role, he could re-enter free agency in 2026 with an even stronger résumé.
For now, Harris’ future remains uncertain, but if the 49ers decide to add a proven power back, they could do a lot worse than a hometown product eager for a fresh opportunity.
What are your thoughts on the 49ers going after Harris???
