Mostert gets deal after trade demand
Receiver James is placed on league’s COVID-19 reserve list
Raheem Mostert will report to 49ers camp today with a new deal, less than three weeks after his agent went public with a trade request.
“Happy we got things worked out and looking forward to him having another great season there,” Mostert’s agent, Brett Tessler, tweeted Monday. “Thanks to the organization for taking care of him.”
Tessler’s previous tweet, on July 8, expressed frustration at the 49ers for “months of unproductive talks” about “fairly adjusting” Mostert’s contract after his breakout season.
Mostert’s deal still runs through 2021, but he potentially can double his salary this year and make close to $5 million through incentives and a $250,000 bonus. He’s slated to earn $2.575 million in base salary this year and $2.875 million next year.
That bonus comes from the 49ers awarding him last season’s incentive to reach 850 rushing yards, even though he ran for a team-high 772 yards. Mostert did not start any game last season. He set a 49ers record with 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns in their NFC championship game
win.
Tessler did not return a message seeking comment, nor did the 49ers announce the move.
Mostert signed a threeyear deal last year based mainly off his specialteams prowess, then he emerged as the 49ers’ most explosive running back during last season’s Super Bowl campaign.
The 49ers’ backfield also is stocked with Tevin Coleman, whose $4.55 million salary is what Mostert reportedly sought, as well as the expected comeback of Jerick McKinnon.
JAMES LANDS ON NFL’S COVID-19 RESERVE LIST >> Wide receiver Richie James Jr. is the first 49ers player to be put on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list.
James, the 49ers’ return specialist last year, broke his right wrist last month, so the hurdles are stacking up in his quest to make the roster for a third season. James is one of 18 players listed on the NFL transaction wire Monday for going on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
It does not necessarily mean he tested positive upon reporting last week to the facility for training camp, as he could have been exposed to someone infected.
Teams are prohibited from disclosing whether a player is in quarantine or is positive for COVID-19.
James’ job comes with tougher competition this year, both in the receiving and return-specialist duties. First-round pick Brandon Aiyuk is one who will challenge there, along with 2018 second-round pick Dante Pettis.
James averaged 8 yards on 33 punt returns and 21.4 yards on 20 kick returns last regular season. He’s totaled 15 career receptions
(295 yards, two touchdowns) since joining the 49ers as a seventhround draft pick. SHERMAN DOESN’T SEE LEAGUE STOPPING >> With one day left before he’s due to report with all other 49ers for training camp, cornerback Richard Sherman does not envision the NFL stopping the upcoming season amid COVID-19 concerns.
“I don’t see the league saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to shut down if 10 people get it, 15 people get it, 50 people get it,’ “Sherman said Monday on an Instagram Live interview with Pro Football Focus. “I see them saying, ‘Hey, remove those people, replace them with new people and continue the game.’
“If half a team gets it, forfeit the game, and next game keep moving forward. That’s the way I see them finishing (the season).”
The 49ers began testing
quarterbacks, rookies and rehabilitating players last Thursday when they could first report to the team’s Santa Clara facility.
Negative tests Thursday and Sunday would allow players to enter the facility Monday, when they could undergo physicals and handle other business. All other players are due to report today for their first COVID-19 tests inside a trailer within the team’s executive parking lot.
“This isn’t going to be the prettiest football,” Sherman, 32, said. “This is going to be a year you see some high interception numbers, some high injury numbers . ... The league still doesn’t know how practice is going to go and we’re about to head in.”
Players are expected to begin strength and conditioning work and walkthrough practices next week.