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The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot for Christian McCaffrey, sending second-, third-, and fourth-round picks in the 2023 draft and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for the star running back. General manager John Lynch acknowledges it was a lot to give up. However, it just speaks to how much the 49ers respected McCaffrey and what he could do in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
Lynch and Shanahan already had great confidence in the offense's potential, but they knew that it could be something special with McCaffrey in the picture.
"You're not going to make a move like that if you don't think you can compete with anyone in this league, if you don't think this could be the thing to push us over the top," Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area this week.
Lynch admits that the 49ers loved McCaffrey heading into the 2017 draft. Lynch and Shanahan, in their first offseason with the team, knew they wanted to build a stout defensive line first, though. So they selected defensive lineman Solomon Thomas with the third overall pick. The Panthers added McCaffrey five picks later.
"We studied him a lot, and just his gifts, and always felt it would be a great fit in our offense," Lynch said.
Even as the compensation increased while trying to finalize a deal for McCaffrey, the 49ers felt it would be worth it in the end.
"It was our belief in our team, first and foremost, and then the belief in what Christian could do for us to kind of—I don't want to say unlock because we had been successful, but maybe make us more of a consistent threat to go out and put points on the board each and every week.
"For me, if you don't have Kyle Shanahan and his staff, and the ability to take all those players and come up with game plans that can use all that talent, you don't even think about [the trade]. But I have a tremendous belief in those guys, so ultimately, we pulled the trigger on it."
49ers' surprising O-line
Entering the season, the 49ers offensive line was supposed to be the weak link on a roster that seemed to overflow with talent after nearly every other position. But, this past Monday night, the Arizona Cardinals defense couldn't reach quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. In the previous game, the Los Angeles Chargers defense got to him just once.
The Niners' offensive line has been a pleasant surprise this season, especially in recent weeks.
"[LG] Aaron Banks is playing better," Lynch said. "We always believed in Aaron, but he's playing better than we could have imagined. [RG] Spencer Burford has done a really nice job."
Lynch believes that Burford has benefited from rotating with Daniel Brunskill. Since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 4, Brunskill has been in on 200 offensive snaps, while Burford has played 283.
"[RT] Mike [McGlinchey] is playing really well, just came off a great game," Lynch continued. "And then [LT] Trent [Williams] is just Trent."
Lynch shared the story of Steve Young, who traveled back to the Bay Area with the team following the game in Mexico City, speaking to the general manager and praising Williams. Young noted that he doesn't think he's seen an offensive lineman play at that level.
"We never take it for granted, but we've got a special player playing that left tackle position, and when guys like Steve Young notice that, I think it's just a testament to what a gifted player he is," Lynch said.
49ers' Christian McCaffrey offers scouting report on younger brother
By David Bonilla
Dec 7
Maybe the San Francisco 49ers will be in the market to draft another wide receiver soon. Suppose the front office seeks the opinion of running back Christian McCaffrey. In that case, he will likely be vocal in his recommendation—a certain Rice wideout named Luke McCaffrey, who happens to be his younger brother.
"I would love to play with him one day," the older McCaffrey told reporters in the 49ers' locker room after Thursday's practice. "That would be the coolest thing ever. So I'm excited for him and his journey, and he's only going to get better."
Luke, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, recorded 68 receptions for 963 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, averaging 14.2 yards per catch.
"Yeah, I've watched every snap of every game," Christian
Christian McCaffrey achieves milestone last seen with the 49ers by Frank Gore
By David Bonilla
Dec 3
Christian McCaffrey rushed for 1,139 yards last season, marking his third time surpassing 1,000 yards in his NFL career. Of course, he accomplished this feat during his time with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
Entering Week 13, McCaffrey led the league with 939 rushing yards, requiring only 61 more to secure his fourth career season surpassing the 1,000-yard mark. He achieved this milestone in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the first 49ers running back to reach 1,000 rushing yards since Frank Gore did so in 2014 with 1,106 rushing yards.
McCaffrey was on pace for 1,451 rushing yards leading up to the game, a potential single-season career-high. Additionally, he was on track to rack up 2,052 all-purpose yards, which
49ers' Christian McCaffrey: Surpassing 1,000 rushing yards a 'team effort'
By David Bonilla
Dec 3
Christian McCaffrey achieved a milestone no other San Francisco 49ers player has reached since Frank Gore in 2014. The running back surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
Surprisingly, this marks only McCaffrey's fourth time hitting that milestone in his career, last achieving it last season during his time with the Carolina Panthers and now with the 49ers. He also surpassed the mark in 2018 and 2019.
Speaking to Bay Area radio station KNBR after the 49ers' dominant 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, McCaffrey shared what it means to surpass the 1,000-yard mark again, crediting it as
Christian McCaffrey embracing 49ers' rich history, praises Brock Purdy
By David Bonilla
22 hrs
The San Francisco 49ers boast a storied history filled with Hall of Fame players and Super Bowl championships. He fully embraced this rich tradition when the Carolina Panthers traded the running back to the 49ers.
"I think you have to," McCaffrey told FOX Sports' Greg Olsen ahead of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. "I think you don't really understand it until you're here, but seeing the names on the wall, seeing the five Super Bowl trophies, knowing the history behind who's played here, I don't think you have a choice but to embrace it."
McCaffrey hopes to contribute to the 49ers' trophy case. This ambition could materialize as soon as this season, with San Francisco