Christian McCaffrey is grateful he landed with the San Francisco 49ers last year, even if he expected to play his entire career with the Carolina Panthers. A year ago, the versatile running back was traded, transitioning from the East Coast to the West Coast.
Since then, he has won a lot of football games and appreciates that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch were willing to invest several draft picks to bring him into this talented locker room.
This week, McCaffrey took a moment to reflect on his journey over the past year.
"Oh, man, it's meant the world to me just to be a part of this team, be a part of this organization," McCaffrey told reporters. "Obviously, I'm extremely happy to be here. I'm so thankful that they gave up picks to get me here.
"It's changed my perspective on so many things. I feel like I've learned so much. Every day, I feel so fortunate to be a part of this team, and, like I said, it just means the world to me."
What's an example of how the running back's perspective has shifted since joining the 49ers last year?
"Well, the sophistication of football, for one, and just kind of how offensive football looks," McCaffrey responded. "Obviously, I've had a lot of different coaches over my career, and I've learned a lot. And then getting here and kind of seeing how and why they do things is so cool.
"So every day for me, I feel like a kid in a candy store, just learning all the different ways to run the ball, the purpose behind a lot of the routes in the pass scheme, and just continuing to grow and learn, as a fan of the game, obviously, and as a player on this team."
On Friday, head coach Kyle Shanahan was told about McCaffrey's remarks, particularly the analogy of feeling like a kid in a candy store. What are his thoughts upon hearing his star player's comments?
"It makes me feel like a kid in a candy store," Shanahan said with a slight smirk.
The coach added that he admires McCaffrey's drive to absorb everything he can from the coaching staff, even if that means some late work nights. The running back is passionate about doing everything he can to help his team succeed.
Refusing to sit out a game, McCaffrey pushed through a minor oblique tear on Monday, hoping to make a meaningful contribution towards a 49ers victory. The Minnesota Vikings ended up winning the game, but the effort was yet another example of the running back's willingness to do whatever it takes to support his teammates.
Shanahan continued, "But what's so special about Christian that you don't know until you get him, he just seems like he's the guy no one will play because he is just working so hard and such an overachiever, and he is just like, 'Coach, let me just be on the team.'"
McCaffrey has proved his worth to Shanahan and the 49ers. Since moving from Charlotte to the Bay Area last October, the running back has accumulated an impressive 2,036 all-purpose yards and scored 21 total touchdowns. Yet, he maintains the mindset of a player doing everything he can to keep his roster spot.
"Everyone has those gym rats who just work so hard," said Shanahan, a former college wide receiver. "That's how I'd probably describe myself more in college because I'm trying to turn myself into someone that I'm not. We got a guy like that, who's also one of the most talented people in the league.
"So that's the full package of him, and it's how much he loves football, not just with his heart but also his mind. It's all he thinks about, is what it seems like."