Frank Gore says he wants to keep playing, but I doubt that will happen. He’s had a great career, but I think he’s been done for a few seasons.
Gore ranks 3rd all-time in rushing, but he’s 36. We’re now up to four different teams that have decided to move on from him – 49ers, Colts, Dolphins and Bills. He just doesn’t have it anymore.
We’re now at the point where Gore seems to be the last one who hasn’t figured this out. “I’m going to wait til March and see what team really wants me,” Gore told Chris Simms of ProFootballTalk. “I still feel good. I know I still can play. It’s just gotta be right.”
The Bills signed Gore last year, but it didn’t go well. He was thoroughly outplayed by rookie Devin Singletary, who became their top back. Buffalo used Gore as its primary short-yardage and goal-line back, but he wasn’t effective in that role. He was successful on only 4 of 16 carries when the team ran the ball needing 1 yard to either score or keep a drive alive (on third or fourth down).
I’ve been tracking that stat for 20 years, and I can’t remember ever seeing a success rate that low for a back with at least 10 attempts.
| "AND-ONE" RUSHING | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | "Good" | Att | Pct |
| Ezekiel Elliott, Dall. | 16 | 17 | 94.1% |
| Kenyan Drake, Mia.-Ariz. | 9 | 10 | 90.0% |
| Dalvin Cook, Min. | 10 | 12 | 83.3% |
| Derrick Henry, Ten. | 15 | 18 | 83.3% |
| Todd Gurley, LAR | 15 | 18 | 83.3% |
| Carlos Hyde, Hou. | 12 | 15 | 80.0% |
| Chris Carson, Sea. | 23 | 30 | 76.7% |
| LeVeon Bell, NYJ | 11 | 15 | 73.3% |
| Alec Ingold, Oak. | 7 | 10 | 70.0% |
| Gus Edwards, Balt. | 7 | 10 | 70.0% |
| Josh Jacobs, Oak. | 9 | 13 | 69.2% |
| Joe Mixon, Cin. | 13 | 19 | 68.4% |
| Leonard Fournette, Jac. | 14 | 21 | 66.7% |
| Melvin Gordon, LAC | 9 | 14 | 64.3% |
| Sony Michel, N.E. | 10 | 16 | 62.5% |
| Kerryon Johnson, Det. | 6 | 10 | 60.0% |
| Peyton Barber, T.B. | 7 | 12 | 58.3% |
| David Montgomery, Chi. | 7 | 13 | 53.8% |
| Aaron Jones, G.B. | 7 | 14 | 50.0% |
| Christian McCaffrey, Car. | 6 | 13 | 46.2% |
| Marlon Mack, Ind. | 6 | 13 | 46.2% |
| Saquon Barkley, NYG | 5 | 11 | 45.5% |
| Nick Chubb, Cle. | 7 | 16 | 43.8% |
| Frank Gore, Buff. | 4 | 16 | 25.0% |
Gore has no speed. He doesn’t play special teams. He’s not a guy who can come in and contribute with his smarts in obvious passing situations. I don’t think there’s any chance of him making a 53-man roster this year, and I don’t think he’ll find a team that’s even willing to bring him to training camp.
It’s over.
—Ian Allan