There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Christian McCaffrey, who, like his San Francisco 49ers, aims to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season. The team finished last in the NFC West with a 6-11 record, and McCaffrey played in just four games, with Achilles and knee injuries landing him on injured reserve to begin and end the year.
The 49ers kicked off organized team activities (OTAs) last week, and McCaffrey made his presence felt as reporters got their first glimpse of the 2025 squad on Thursday. It was a light practice, which meant no helmets, pads, or contact were allowed. Despite that, one 49ers insider was impressed with the now-healthy star running back.
"But — whew! — Christian McCaffrey looked electric on one of his runs Thursday," Matt Barrows wrote in a feature for The Athletic, "one where he hopped through the line of scrimmage before accelerating past the linebackers and bursting up the middle of the field.
"The run was evidence that McCaffrey, who missed the bulk of the 2024 season with Achilles and knee injuries, is back at full strength and looking more like his 2023 self. And it seemed symbolic of the extra pep the San Francisco 49ers seem to have this spring."
While it's too early to draw firm conclusions from one light OTA practice, McCaffrey's performance and the positive early reviews are an encouraging sign for a team looking to bounce back in 2025. After a busy offseason retooling the roster, the 49ers' success may hinge in part on having their offensive centerpiece fully back.
General manager John Lynch expressed high praise for McCaffrey's offseason progress.
"It looks really good to me," Lynch said last week. "That's what I'll tell you. He looks bouncy; he looks explosive. Christian likes the work. As talented as he is, he's a feel player, and he likes to work, and he's put in the work.
"Believe me, he's as intense a competitor as I've ever been around. He's maniacal in his approach."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was also asked about McCaffrey's readiness as the running back looks to return to his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year form.
"Christian, he's as ready as any player I've ever been around," Shanahan said. "When he gets hurt, he's got to rehab and get better. Right now, he's as healthy as can be. We've got to kind of protect him from himself, but Christian has a good idea of what he needs to do right now.
"He's doing a lot less than he normally would do, but I know he's excited on how healthy he feels, and the fact that he can get out there."
Reporters will get one more look at the team during Wednesday's OTA session before the 49ers reconvene for their only mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 10–11. After that, they will break until training camp in late July.