Just imagine what he can do with a full offseason to master head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"OTAs were great, just to really understand the concepts and really, not just learn the running back position, but the whole offense," McCaffrey said during training camp, "and understand timing with what the quarterback sees and what Kyle sees, and getting timing right with the O-line, and [FB Kyle Juszczyk], and the tight ends. So, coming into camp, you're not playing catch up. So it's been great to be able to kind of not just learn the offense, but master it."
That's why predicting big things for the seventh-year player is easy. NFL.com is expecting something really big for McCaffrey. Thirty-four NFL Media analysts, including Steve Mariucci and Eric Edholm, projected the winners of the league's most prestigious individual awards. They predicted McCaffrey would earn NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, with the 49ers running back leading the way with seven votes.
"This award often goes to the best non-QB," wrote Edholm. "If McCaffrey can stay healthy and produce at the same per-game level he did with the 49ers last season following the trade, he could push for a 2,000-yard all-purpose campaign with double-digit TDs. Teams have had all offseason to draw up better game plans for Brock Purdy, so McCaffrey could be an even more critical part of this offense in 2023."
The only other 49ers player to receive votes for an award was defensive end Nick Bosa, who earned two votes for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, an honor he earned last season. However, pass rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys earned 19 votes, making him the favorite among the analysts.
The analysts predicted Robert Saleh of the New York Jets to win NFL Coach of the Year. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan earned one panel vote, from Adam Schein.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers' Christian McCaffrey wins Best Comeback Athlete at the 2026 ESPYS
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was honored as the Best Comeback Athlete on Wednesday night at the 2026 ESPYS in New York. McCaffrey earned the award over golfer Anthony Kim, Angel City FC defender Savy King, and Texas A&M volleyball standout Kyndal... -
49ers' De'Zhaun Stribling named Offensive Rookie of the Year sleeper
The San Francisco 49ers used their top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—No. 33 overall—on wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, an intriguing playmaker out of Ole Miss who could quickly earn a role in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense. Of course, Stribling will have to climb the... -
Writer urges 49ers to consider trading one player—at the right price
There was plenty of speculation surrounding San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones this offseason. Many believed the team could trade Brock Purdy's backup before or during the 2026 NFL Draft. That never materialized, and Jones appears poised to remain Purdy's primary backup... -
49ers rookie prediction highlights concerns about key offensive weapon
San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey is coming off an NFL Comeback Player of the Year campaign. In 2025, he totaled an impressive 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns, reestablishing himself as one of the NFL's most dynamic offensive weapons. McCaffrey...