There is a new way to utilize McCaffrey in 2025
The San Francisco 49ers need a fully healthy Christian McCaffrey in 2025. Full stop. Furthermore, Kyle Shanahan needs McCaffrey on the field to unlock the full potential of the 49ers offense. But what if I told you that second-year running back Isaac Guerendo could be the key to unlocking McCaffrey’s efficiency and the full potential of the 49ers offense?
Let’s start with the obvious. McCaffrey’s presence is necessary for this offense, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery and the 49ers’ wide receiver room in 2025.
McCaffrey and George Kittle at any playcaller’s disposal is a literal dream. Ask around the NFL. Regardless of your health concerns, both players are former, and in Kittle’s case, defending All-Pros. Kittle is the best tight end in the game. When McCaffrey is healthy and upright, he has a case as the best all-around running back in the NFL. I believe Saquon Barkley is the best running back in the NFL in the best possible position.
Guerendo offers, for the first time, a similar skillset to McCaffrey, as Shanahan has been the 49ers’ head coach.
Name another running back that has been under Shanahan with the same receiving acumen (Guerendo was a former wide receiver) as the 49ers head coach. Yes, players have caught passes at running back for the 49ers, but Guerendo can run routes better than anyone Shanahan has coached as the 49ers’ head coach as a running back besides McCaffrey.
Ok, I apologize, Tevin Coleman.
If the goal is to maximize McCaffrey’s impact and efficiency, it is best to use Christian in the wide back role that was occupied by Deebo Samuel. Of course, McCaffrey deserves the lion’s share of running back touches. The goal is to raise McCaffrey’s efficiency while not overworking him.
Using Samuel as a funnel for screen passes and yards after the catch was the goal in 2024; then why wouldn’t McCaffrey occupy the same role? McCaffrey needs to touch the ball, but giving him 20-plus rushes per game because of the wide receiver situation won’t go well.
If the concern of this 49ers team is the receiver room, given the injuries and experience, then why wouldn’t Shanahan appropriately employ his weapons to maximize efficiency, positional, and playcalling flexibility?
When Jordan Mason was on the field in 2024, teams didn’t fear a throw to the running back.
Shanahan routinely drew up mismatches with McCaffrey on linebackers and secondary members out of the backfield. Guerendo offers a similar skillset while giving the 49ers offense a chance to utilize McCaffrey in similar situations, while the team waits for the receiver room to catch up.
Jauan Jennings is still a very good option as the first option at wide receiver. He and his agent realize this.
However, if Ricky Pearsall has further issues with his hamstring, although his progress is in a great spot, he will be activated when the pads go on. I reject the notion of a “barren” wide receiver room as the reason why this 49ers offense might struggle in 2025.
I’ve witnessed Shanahan do more with less as the 49ers head coach and their offense.
There is a reason Shanahan and this team identified Guerendo as a team fit. There is a way to utilize Guerendo and McCaffrey to offset any sort of wide receiver shortcomings. Use Guerendo as a receiver or use McCaffrey as a receiver, but use both and apply pressure on defenses.