The axiom goes that the NFL stands for 'not for long'. It's used so often that it has become cliche.
But cliches are cliches because they consistently ring true.
And the career of San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell certainly is proving to be a case of 'not for long'.
Mitchell burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2021, leading the 49ers in rushing with 963 yards despite only featuring in 11 regular-season games. Fast forward to the final year of his rookie deal, and the former sixth-round pick's roster spot is far from secure.
I picked out Mitchell as a candidate to be released this year for A to Z Sports' list of surprise cut candidates for every NFL team.
In explaining my reasoning, I wrote:
It wasn't that long ago that Mitchell was bursting onto the scene as a rookie sixth-round pick in 2021, a season he ended as the 49ers' leading rusher, falling narrowly shy of 1,000 yards despite playing only 11 games due to injury. Unfortunately for Mitchell, injuries have continued to be a problem throughout his career and, with Christian McCaffrey now the undisputed workhorse of the backfield, he has been left fighting for very minimal carries. When healthy, Mitchell has served as a nice complement to McCaffrey and scored the decisive touchdown in the 49ers' NFC Championship Game comeback against the Lions. However, with no guaranteed money remaining on the final year of his contract and San Francisco adding three running backs this offseason — including trading two fifth-round picks to move up for Isaac Guerendo in the fourth round of the draft — Mitchell could find himself in huge trouble if the new boys impress.
Mitchell's hopes of being the 49ers' long-term starter at running back went with the 2022 trade for McCaffrey. He had 207 carries as a rookie. Owing to injuries and McCaffrey's incredible durability, Mitchell has had just 120 over the last two seasons.
The lack of guaranteed money on the final year of his deal means the 49ers can move on from Mitchell this year and save over $1 million against the salary cap with a dead cap charge of $45,893, potentially significant extra motivation in another year where the Niners may have designs on making a blockbuster trade at the deadline as they continue to chase Super Bowl glory.
The 49ers' being comfortable releasing Mitchell is contingent on the progress of their new additions at the position. They signed Patrick Taylor Jr, known for his pass protection abilities, before drafting Guerendo and signing undrafted free agent Cody Schrader, who led the SEC in rushing last year.
Given the 49ers' poor track record drafting backs outside of Mitchell, there is no guarantee of Guerendo impressing and being ready to take over as McCaffrey's primary backup. However, the 49ers, in adding three backs, have given themselves enough options whereby, if one of their new runners catches the eye, Mitchell could go from leading rusher in 2021 to looking for a new job under three years later. Not for long indeed.
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