Running back Christian McCaffrey agreed to an extension with San Francisco, resetting the running back market with a two-year, $38 million new deal. The former Stanford running back was already the highest-paid player at his position. Now, the team rewards his outstanding play with the new deal.
Now a 49er until he is 31 years old, McCaffrey will look to help the team get back to the Super Bowl.
Well-Deserving of A New Deal, Indeed.
McCaffrey’s NFL career started in 2017 when he was selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers.
After the rookie was mainly a receiving back in his first season, things took off in his sophomore campaign.
Playing in all 16 games, McCaffrey ran for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 107 receptions for 867 yards. It’s safe to say that he was the Panthers’ offense.
In 2019, he finally got the recognition he deserved. The running back had over 2,300 scrimmage yards and 19 total touchdowns, making his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro team.
Unfortunately, the next two years consisted of injury-riddled seasons that prevented him from being the impact player that he is.
Finally, in 2022, he was fully healthy. But, after playing six games for the Carolina Panthers, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. The NFC South team was already struggling, and with the lack of talent around the running back, they decided to move on from the superstar in exchange for compensation.
San Francisco was the perfect place for him. He scored ten total touchdowns for the 49ers in 11 games, rushing for 746 yards and racking up 464 in the receiving game as well. His comeback season helped the 49ers reach the NFC Conference Championship before they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles. Regardless, McCaffrey made his second Pro Bowl.
Many still wondered if the injury bug would bite him like it has in previous seasons. That was not the case, as the all-around back led the league in rushing yards (1459) and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. He also scored seven receiving touchdowns, racking up 67 receptions for 564 yards.
He once again showed out in the postseason, helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl. Though the team lost, he scored five total touchdowns in the three postseason games played.
Ready for 2024
Based off of his past two seasons, it doesn’t look like McCaffrey is slowing down any time soon. Still 27 years old, the 49ers’ star player is ready to wreak havoc on the league once more. The 49ers look to win their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history, and he will be the key to doing so.
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