McCaffrey’s injuries have created question marks about how he’ll be in 2025.
In 2023, Christian McCaffrey had the best year of his career in his first full season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Rushing for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns, while catching 67 passes for 564 yards and seven more scores, McCaffrey earned every accolade in the book.
He was a Pro Bowler, First-Team All-Pro, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and even third in MVP voting behind only Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott. He was the catalyst for the 49ers’ offense, being the main reason they pushed through to a Super Bowl appearance.
Throughout the season, McCaffrey battled through a few issues, but missed only one game (a pointless Week 18 matchup) and was still crucial in the playoffs.
However, his 2024 season was anything but special, as the running back dealt with Achilles tendonitis in both legs, and missed the beginning of the season. He ultimately played just four games last year before being shut down for good, raising questions as to what the rest of his career would look like.
McCaffrey had just signed a two-year, $38 million extension last offseason, resetting the running back market and keeping him in San Francisco for four more seasons. But, he wasn’t able to produce much in 2024, as injuries plagued him once again.
The 49ers’ star running back has dealt with injuries in the past, playing in only 10 games combined between the 2020 and 2021 seasons while with the Carolina Panthers.
But, with more wear-and-tear now entering his age-29 season, there are questions as to what player McCaffrey will be in 2025. Initial reports suggest the running back is looking strong thus far this offseason, but that will need to carry over the course of an 18-game season.
Two years ago, McCaffrey was easily the best running back in the league. Now, is he even the best running back in the NFC West?
NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal recently ranked the top 20 running backs in the NFL via a draft, where McCaffrey came in at No. 7. Unsurprisingly, right behind him was Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams, who has been one of the more consistent players at the position since entering the NFL.
“I want to have some love for the consistent player,” Rosenthal said when comparing Williams to McCaffrey. “He played the most snaps last season—this shocked me—of anyone in the league.”
“I’d actually would rather have him than McCaffrey because I’d just rather have a guy I know is going to be there, even though that I know, at their peaks, McCaffrey is a better player.”
With McCaffrey, the talent and will are undeniable. It’s just a matter of staying on the field with the wear and tear accumulating.
Rosenthal had Saquon Barkley as the No. 1 back in the NFL, which isn’t surprising, given the monster year he just had. But, at No. 2, he gave the nod to Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Behind that were Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 3) and Derrick Henry (No. 4), who each had strong 2024 campaigns.
As for McCaffrey, the numbers will be there if he can consistently be on the field. Yesterday, I broke down what realistic expectations should be for the 49ers running back if that can happen, placing his floor at around 1,500-1,650 yards from scrimmage with double-digit touchdowns.
If he can do that, he’ll remain a top back in the NFL and the best in the NFC West as a result.