San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey missed all but four games in the 2024 season, starting the year on injured reserve due to Achilles tendinitis and finishing it back on IR with a PCL injury. Even when he was on the field, the All-Pro back didn't look like himself, failing to look like the explosive player on display during his 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year campaign.
McCaffrey finished the season with just 348 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns—both career lows. Without his dynamic presence in the backfield, the 49ers struggled offensively, limping to a 6-11 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
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Now, McCaffrey is aiming for a major bounce-back in 2025. He's focused on staying healthy, boosting the 49ers' offense, and leading the team back to postseason contention. Still, some critics question whether the wear and tear of his career, combined with recent injuries, has finally caught up to the 29-year-old veteran.
The good news for 49ers fans is that McCaffrey participated fully in the team's offseason program and looks to be in excellent shape heading into training camp.
One teammate who's fully confident in McCaffrey's return to form is veteran fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
"Christian is arguably the best player in the NFL," Juszczyk told The Athletic's Vic Tafur this past week at the American Century Championship golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. "He was the offensive player of the year two years ago. He changes everything, and he looks incredible."
In that dominant 2023 season, McCaffrey racked up 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 total touchdowns, helping power the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. Juszczyk's comments suggest fans can expect a similar version of the running back in 2025.
"He looks so healthy, he looks so explosive," Juszczyk added.
As McCaffrey enters his ninth NFL season, his performance will be critical to San Francisco's success. If he can stay healthy and regain his All-Pro form, the 49ers' offense could be one of the most dangerous in the league once again.