As one of the NFL’s oldest starting running backs, and with more than 2,000 career carries to his credit, the future of 49ers tailback Frank Gore figures to be a front-burner issue as long as he continues along on his remarkable professional career.
However, Jim Harbaugh believes Gore, who turns 31 in April, has some quality football left to be played, the 49ers’ head coach said Wednesday at the NFL meetings, according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
“I really think Frank has three more good years. I truly believe that. But we’re in a game of taking it one year at a time,” Harbaugh said, per CSNBayArea.com.
Gore’s contract expires at season’s end. Given his age, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the 49ers took a wait-and-see approach to whether Harbaugh’s prediction holds.
Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore are among the options behind Gore on the 49ers’ depth chart. All are signed beyond 2014.
Gore needs 33 rushing yards for 10,000 in his career. He racked up 1,128 yards and nine TDs on 276 carries a season ago.