Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
It didn't take long for
Christian McCaffrey to become a leader in the locker room after the Carolina Panthers traded the running back to the San Francisco 49ers. McCaffrey joined the team, owning a reputation as a player who is among the hardest working at maintaining his craft.
The 49ers kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and McCaffrey is among the many players in attendance. While that is unlikely to surprise anyone, it's important to remember that OTAs are voluntary. One big-name player not present is the NFL Defensive Player of the Year,
Nick Bosa. Of course, no one is concerned, given the talented pass rusher's past production.
While McCaffrey doesn't have to be in Santa Clara, his presence is another example of how quickly he's grown into a leadership role.
"Not just Christian, but the majority of our players [being here]," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday. "I think it's been rare that we have had guys miss, so I think we do as good of that as most teams. But yeah, it's huge. It's a voluntary thing, so it is what it is, but I think it's really hard to practice football compared to other sports.
"We have a lot of rules that don't allow you to practice football, so it's very good if guys can prepare to practice so they have a chance to get better, and it's cool of all the guys who try to work at that."
McCaffrey's work ethic doesn't surprise one of his former Panthers teammates, new 49ers quarterback
Sam Darnold. Reunited in Santa Clara, the two were together for a season and a half in Charlotte.
"I'm used to it. It's just his work ethic. That's never going to change," Darnold said, addressing reporters for just the second time since signing with San Francisco. "It really stems from meeting his dad (former NFL WR Ed McCaffrey), meeting his mom, it kind of stems from that, from him growing up and being raised that way.
"He's just got a great work ethic, and I think guys respond to that really well, and it kind of pushes the guys around him."
Some players, especially star veterans, knowing how long and punishing an NFL season is on a body, might opt to take it easy during May practices. Looking at McCaffrey, you would think the 49ers were preparing for a playoff game.
"Yeah, he sets the standard," quarterback
Trey Lance said. "He's quickly grown into a great leader in our locker room, and I think a lot of guys had a feeling that would happen pretty quickly just based on who he is. And after meeting him, how he carries himself, just a very impressive human being.
"Some people call him like a little Bosa, just the way he's just so meticulous with his routine and how he takes care of his body. I've learned a ton from him, not only football, but being able to talk ball with him is awesome just because he's seen so many different offenses, defenses, and looks."
McCaffrey amassed 1,210 total yards and 10 total touchdowns last season—since being traded to the 49ers. His season total was 1,880 total yards and 13 total touchdowns. He proved to be a difference-maker on offense. San Francisco did not lose a game in which McCaffrey started until that NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and many will argue that was only because the 49ers lacked a healthy quarterback.
"Christian, we all know how he is as a player," Darnold added. "Christian's a great player who can go out and make plays not only in the run game but in the pass game as well. Then coming in here as well, it's always nice when you have someone that you know and that you're buddies with. When you're coming to a new place, being able to have a familiar face coming in is always nice."
The San Francisco 49ers saw significant success in 2023, despite a slow start to the season and multiple midseason quarterback changes due to injury, forcing seventh-round rookie Brock Purdy into action.
A crucial part of that formula? Christian McCaffrey, who instantly elevated the 49ers' offense upon his arrival via trade at the midseason mark.
McCaffrey changed the outlook of the offense, creating a more efficient offense on the ground, but more importantly, changing the dynamics of the 49ers' passing attack with his presence out of the backfield.
Additionally, McCaffrey made the pace of the game easier for both veteran Jimmy Garoppolo and rookie Brock Purdy, as the 49ers' offense averaged over 30 points per game since the running back was fully
A healthy Brock Purdy undoubtedly sits atop the San Francisco 49ers' quarterback depth chart. However, he's not healthy. While he is expected to begin throwing again next week, he likely remains months away from being medically cleared to play in a game.
In the meantime, Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, is competing with another former No. 3 overall pick, Sam Darnold, for the QB2 job. One of the two players could start Week 1 of the 2023 season if Purdy isn't ready by then.
Of the quarterbacks on the roster, running back Christian McCaffrey has only played with Purdy and Darnold. Lance suffered his season-ending ankle injury before McCaffrey's arrival. McCaffrey and Darnold were teammates in Carolina.
The running back joined the Rich
It seemed so unfair. At least, that's what Rich Eisen thought when he heard rumors swirling that the San Francisco 49ers were looking to trade for star running back Christian McCaffrey. It just wasn't fair ... for the rest of the NFL.
Like so many, Eisen has a great deal of respect for head coach Kyle Shanahan's system and the already-talented roster he and general manager John Lynch have built over the years.
McCaffrey joined the Rich Eisen Show on Friday, and the two reflected on the trade that sent him from the Carolina Panthers to Shanahan's 49ers, a situation Eisen called "a perfect fit."
"I'm definitely excited," McCaffrey told Eisen. "Like you said, it's a great fit for me. It's a great fit for, really, any skill player. It's a great
You've heard stories about San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan installing a play and breaking down exactly how he expects the defense to react. Then, when the players execute the play, everything occurs as the coach explained, as if he had a crystal ball to predict the outcome.
Shanahan is a confident play-caller, emphasizing execution by his players to ensure everything goes as planned. The 49ers acquired a big-time playmaker last season, trading for star running back Christian McCaffrey, who had already established himself as one of the most versatile players in the league.
Even McCaffrey marvels at the things his play-caller comes up
