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Before reaching an agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Giovani Bernard was also pursued by the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com.
Bernard was released by the Cincinnati Bengals last week after eight seasons with the team. He reached a one-year deal with the Buccaneers on Monday.
The 49ers will likely be looking for additional depth behind Raheem Mostert, as Tevin Coleman has signed with the New York Jets this offseason and Jerick McKinnon is a free agent. Jeff Wilson Jr. remains on the list as the backup currently with JaMycal Hasty and Austin Walter as depth options.
The Seahawks re-signed Chris Carson this season for a two-year deal, and former first-round pick Rashaad Penny returns after missing most of last season while recovering from a torn ACL. Former draft pick Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas remain in the rankings and Alex Collins has also been re-signed this off-season. Their interest in another running rugby will likely lead to a lack of total confidence in the options behind Carson, or at least a player to play a specific role he feels in the other options currently.
The report notes that Bernard heard from Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson about joining the team in Seattle, which would be another indication that Carroll and Wilson have committed to keeping their relationship together for at least one more season.