With Carlos Hyde speeding toward free agency next week, the San Francisco could soon be in search of new starting running back. Media speculation has linked names like Dion Lewis and Isaiah Crowell to the 49ers, but what about a reunion with the team's all-time leading rusher?
In 2014, after becoming the 20th player in NFL history to rush for 11,000 career yards, Gore left the 49ers via free agency and signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he has played the past three seasons. He currently ranks fifth all-time in rushing with 14,026 yards and will likely jump into the number four spot with another season (or a game or two) of play.
Gore has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing nine times over his 13-year career. Over the past three seasons with the Colts, he has rushed for 2,953 yards on 784 carries with 13 touchdowns.
The durable Gore has started all 16 games in each of his last six seasons.
One person who would love to see Gore return to the team that made him a third-round draft pick out of Miami in 2005 is Peter Schrager of NFL Network.
"I think there's a free agent running back that is sitting on the street right now, and there is a destination that makes almost too much sense," Schrager said during "Good Morning Football" on Thursday morning. "I would love to finish this man's career with one great last season where he breaks all these records and does it where it should happen. I want to see Frank Gore back on the 49ers. This, to me, makes a lot of sense. Carlos Hyde is a free agent, they've only got Matt Breida, basically, on the roster that they're saying is their next guy.
"Gore is the all-time leading rusher for the 49ers. He's got 11,000 yards (as a Niner). He's fifth all-time (among all NFL running backs). He needs just 75 more rushing yards, which he can do in a game, (and) he'll surpass Curtis Martin on the all-time list and become the fourth all-time rusher in the NFL. He has the most active rushing yards.
"I love Frank Gore. I love what the 49ers are building right there...I don't care about numbers and age and all that stuff. Get it out of here. There's a place for the romantic."
Gore, who is a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2009, 2011–2013), spent his first 10 seasons in San Francisco.