The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced their annual awards today, designating San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year.
Now in his seventh NFL season, McCaffrey is the second 49ers player to be honored as PFWA's Offensive Player of the Year since the award's inception in 1992. Quarterback Steve Young previously earned the honor in 1992 and 1994. Notably, McCaffrey is the first running back to clinch the award since Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams did so in 2017.
Drafted by the Carolina Panthers (5-11, 210) out of Stanford with the No. 8 overall pick in 2017, McCaffrey amassed an impressive 1,459 yards on 272 carries this season, leading the league in rushing, and scored 14 rushing touchdowns. The running back also hauled in 67 receptions for 564 yards with seven receiving touchdowns, per Pro Football Reference.
McCaffrey's 339 touches for 2,023 scrimmage yards led the NFL, while his 21 total touchdowns tied with Raheem Mostert of the Miami Dolphins for the most in the league. This marked McCaffrey's second time surpassing 2,000 scrimmage yards in his career, following his impressive total of 2,392 in 2019.
McCaffrey joined an elite group in 49ers history, becoming the fourth player to surpass 2,000 scrimmage yards. He stands alongside Frank Gore (2,180 yards in 2006), Garrison Hearst (2,105 yards in 1998), and Roger Craig (2,066 yards in 1985 and 2,036 yards in 1988) as the only 49ers players to achieve this remarkable feat.
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