The San Francisco 49ers sent shockwaves through the NFL on Wednesday with a surprising backfield overhaul that has fans and insiders buzzing about what it really means for the team’s depth chart. In a move that came without warning, the franchise inked running back Sincere McCormick to a one-year deal while abruptly waiving Jordan Mims to clear a roster spot—and sources close to the situation claim the timing couldn’t be more suspicious.
Minicamp Canceled, Then Chaos Erupts
What makes this transaction especially eyebrow-raising is that it unfolded just after head coach Kyle Shanahan pulled the plug on mandatory minicamp sessions originally scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Insiders say the canceled practices, combined with this sudden roster shuffle, have left observers wondering if there’s more turmoil beneath the surface than the team is letting on. “It feels like they’re scrambling,” one league insider told us. “You don’t make a move like this unless something’s not clicking in the room.”
McCormick’s Wild Ride Continues
This marks McCormick’s third stint with the 49ers in less than a year—a pattern that has some questioning the front office’s long-term vision. The 25-year-old back first joined the team’s practice squad during the 2025 campaign, then signed a deal on April 28, 2026, only to be released exactly one month later on May 28—the very same day Mims was brought in. Now, less than two weeks after that, McCormick is back, and Mims is out. To say the situation is fluid would be an understatement.
McCormick, a compact 5-foot-8, 204-pound bruiser, entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders back in 2022. Since then, he’s bounced between practice squads with the 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Minnesota Vikings during the 2025 season alone. Across five career NFL appearances—including two starts—he’s logged 39 rushes for 183 yards (a solid 4.7-yard average) and added six catches for 29 yards. But with such limited production, insiders say this move is less about his stats and more about what it signals for the rest of the roster.
The UTSA Star Who Can’t Catch a Break
A Long Beach, California native, McCormick was a college superstar at UTSA from 2019 to 2021, racking up 3,939 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on 724 carries over 37 games, plus 66 receptions for 509 yards. He was a two-time First-Team All-Conference USA selection and even took home Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors in back-to-back years (2020-21), alongside an AP Third-Team All-American nod in 2021. Yet, despite that résumé, he can’t seem to lock down a permanent NFL home—and sources say that inconsistency is raising red flags about how the 49ers evaluate talent.
What About the Rest of the Room?
The 49ers’ running back group is headlined by Christian McCaffrey, Jordan James, and Kaelon Black, who are expected to carry the load in the 2026 season. But whispers are growing louder about Isaac Guerendo’s roster security. One insider told us that Guerendo’s demotion on special teams—a phase where veteran Patrick Taylor has reportedly excelled—could be a sign that his days in San Francisco are numbered. “If they’re bringing in a guy like McCormick, it’s not just for depth,” the source said. “Someone’s spot is in jeopardy.”
Meanwhile, Mims—a 26-year-old, 6-foot, 205-pound back who went undrafted out of Fresno State in 2023—now finds himself on the outside looking in again after stops with the Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans. In 14 NFL games, he’s managed just 70 rushing yards at 3.5 yards per carry and 12 receptions for 71 yards. Will he catch on elsewhere? Insiders say it’s possible, but the clock is ticking.
As the 49ers head toward training camp, this latest shakeup has everyone asking: Is this just a minor tweak, or does it signal bigger changes to come? One thing’s for sure—the backfield in San Francisco is far from settled.
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