The NFL can be a tough business for players. As you begin to make a home for yourself in a city, everything can change instantly, and you could find yourself packing up and relocating.
Christian McCaffrey says he never imagined playing for anyone other than the Carolina Panthers. General manager Scott Fitterer reassured him that he wasn't going anywhere. Six games later, the running back's time with Carolina was over. The Panthers traded the running back to the San Francisco 49ers.
As much as he looked forward to the opportunity to contribute to an already talented roster, McCaffrey was still frustrated by the move.
"It's a weird deal because there's so many emotions, and the first emotion is probably anger," McCaffrey recently said on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast, per Michael Gallagher of YardBarker. "Like, you guys don't want me anymore. That's really what it is. 'Well, they got a lot for you.' Nah, like you think you're better off without me; that's what it is. You're pissed off, but then you're excited.
"There's so many emotions that get flooded at you at once. … I don't know if I've fully decompressed yet from the whole thing."
San Francisco sent second-, third-, and fourth-round picks in the upcoming draft, and a fifth-rounder in 2024, to the Panthers in exchange for the star running back. McCaffrey made an immediate impact with his new team, contributing 1,210 total yards of offense and 10 total touchdowns after the trade, bringing his season total to an impressive 1,880 all-purpose yards and 13 total trips into the end zone between his time with the 49ers and Panthers.
Top receiving grades in 2022 from @PFF (including playoffs)
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, #49ers, 92.4
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) February 28, 2023
2. Tyreek Hill, WR, #Dolphins, 92.0
3. Travis Kelce, TE, #Chiefs, 91.6
4. Davante Adams, WR, #Raiders, 90.5
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, #Lions, 90.4
McCaffrey's first start with the 49ers came during Week 8. San Francisco won that game, and the 11 that followed, riding a 12-game win streak into the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, injuries to every quarterback on the 49ers roster ended that streak, and the team's season ended one game short of returning to the Super Bowl.
McCaffrey, 26, is signed through the 2025 season. His scheduled salary cap hit is about $12 million in each of the upcoming three seasons.
