49ers RB Raheem Mostert demands a trade after failed negotiations

After initially aiming for a reworked contract, 49ers RB Raheem Mostert has demanded a trade.

Despite signing a three-year contract just last offseason, 49ers running back Raheem Mostert is trying to cash in on a dominant postseason run with San Francisco. The Niners have cap room to play with, but it remains to be seen if they want to spend that at the running back position, which has a recent reputation around the league as underpaid.

Mostert, who just turned 28 year old this April, is nearing 30 in an era when running backs typically fall off north of that mark. Mostert is set to make just $2.5 million next season, and $2.8 million in 2021. Obviously, those numbers don’t suit him, but San Francisco is in a tough spot. On Wednesday, failed negotiations reached a boiling point, with Mostert demanding a trade.

Should the San Francisco 49ers trade Raheem Mostert?

In short, no way. The 49ers traded Matt Breida to the Dolphins earlier this offseason, and Tevin Coleman is unlikely to reach his previous heights in Atlanta. John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and Co. are banking on Mostert being at least the short-term answer at the position, and they just signed him last offseason.

Mostert knows his value is at its peak right now. There’s very little chance he receives a long-term deal or extension once his current contract runs out entering his age-30 season. As we’ve seen with the likes of Todd Gurley (who was just 26, mind you), running backs are rarely paid their worth outside of Christian McCaffrey, and he’s a jack of all trades that offers far more to the Panthers than Mostert can argue for the Niners.

Despite their estimated $11 million in cap space per spotrac, if the 49ers are to improve enough to get over their Kansas City Chiefs-sized hump, it’s unlikely to be by paying the running back position, as much as they rely upon the rushing attack. Such a case creates a tough dilemma for both sides moving forward.