According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers obtained additional running back depth in the shape of former
Packers backup Patrick Taylor. Taylor, a likely camp body who will try to carve out more of a role over the summer,
joins an already packed room.
In 2020, Taylor signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent from Memphis. Taylor had two outstanding
seasons with the Tigers, with 1,988 running yards and 29 touchdowns. However, a foot ailment would cause him to
miss the second half of his senior year. As an undrafted free agent, Green Bay took a chance on him. He was placed
on the reserve/non-football injury list for his whole rookie season until joining the practice squad in 2021.
Taylor made his NFL debut in November of his sophomore year, when he was added to the active roster. He played
in nine games and gained 89 yards and a score through the air. He has appeared in 15 games over the past two years,
totaling 172 yards of rushes.
However, he did not play all of the 2023 season with Green Bay. In October, after adding Taylor to their active roster,
the Packers actually released him. The Patriots added Taylor to their practice squad as a free agent. He was signed by
Green Bay to their active roster, where he would play for the rest of the season, after being cut from New England’s
practice squad.
When Taylor gets to San Francisco, the NFL’s highest-paid running back, Christian McCaffrey, is already there.
Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell split backup responsibilities very evenly in 2023, despite Mitchell missing a
number of games due to injury. Both players are expected to make a comeback. Although McCaffrey is quite skilled
at receiving as well, Taylor offers a little more expertise in that area.
Thus, Taylor has some competition up ahead of him. He will work to win a spot on the roster and, who knows, might
be kept in reserve for when Mitchell or other players continue to miss time.
