San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to record his first receiving touchdown of the season. When he does, he will surpass Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk for the most receiving touchdowns by a running back in the Super Bowl era.

That doesn't mean McCaffrey is having any trouble adding to his list of NFL milestones. The All-Pro entered Sunday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins with 98 total touchdowns over his illustrious career. He rushed for two touchdowns in the 49ers' decisive 35-13 win, bringing his career total to 100 touchdowns.


McCaffrey reached 100 touchdowns in his 114th career game, becoming the fourth-fastest player in the Super Bowl era to reach the milestone, surpassing NFL legend Jerry Rice, who did it in 115 games. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (89 games), Emmitt Smith (93), and Shaun Alexander (96) reached 100 touchdowns in fewer games.

What does McCaffrey think about the milestone? His response offers a glimpse into the running back's priorities.

"It means a lot," McCaffrey said. "It's a blessing to be able to play this game, and stuff like that is always cool. But it's always about the team, it's always about showing up and trying to do your job, and it was a great win for us today."

McCaffrey also recorded his 50th career touchdown since joining the 49ers, becoming only the third player in NFL history to record 50 scrimmage touchdowns with multiple teams. He also had 50 with the Carolina Panthers. He joins Faulk (85 scrimmage touchdowns with the St. Louis Rams and 51 with Indianapolis) and Randy Moss (92 with Minnesota and 50 with New England).

"Yeah, it's kind of crazy to hear that," McCaffrey said. "I watched all those guys growing up—Marshall Faulk being somebody that I've probably seen every single snap he's played—so I don't take it for granted.


"And Randy Moss, I probably threw it to him a million times in Madden growing up. So those are huge honors and definitely a big honor that I'm happy to have."

When asked if he had a chance to reflect on and savor the milestones he reached Sunday, McCaffrey sent a clear message.

"I walk out the door—and again, the accolades and stuff are nice, but I know where I've got to go," McCaffrey shared. "I know I can always get better. Each game, I'm pretty highly critical of my performances and what plays I want back, how to get better. Again, I just enjoy playing football. I think it's a blessing every time I step on the field. If you get accolades, great. If you don't, we want to win.

"I think everybody on this team has a list of accolades, and so you're around a bunch of great players, and if there's one thing I've learned from all of them, it's that those things are awesome, but we want to win football games, and that's what really matters. We want to do it together, and we want to be proud of the tape at the end of the day."

Of course, McCaffrey's teammates seem to be more in awe of the running back's accomplishments. They know they get to play with one of the all-time best at the position, and when all is said and done, McCaffrey will likely have many more accolades on his résumé.


"He's the man," quarterback Brock Purdy said. "Obviously, a Hall of Famer, and what he's done in his career, a playmaker that can do everything—run the ball, split him out, catch the ball, catch the ball out of the backfield. He's the man."

While McCaffrey reflected on playing as Randy Moss in video games during his youth, Purdy remembered watching McCaffrey while the quarterback was still in high school. Now, he gets to play with the future legend.

"And then to be a teammate with him, and be there when he scored his 100th touchdown was like insane," Purdy said. "It's really cool to think about that. So to be on his team, and be a teammate with him, and sort of go and help him do what he wants to do with his career, and just be there and feed him the ball and stuff, like it's an honor for me. So, extremely happy for him."

Fullback Kyle Juszczyk and tight end George Kittle each scored touchdowns against the Dolphins on Sunday. That gives Juszczyk 27 career touchdowns, while Kittle has 53. Combined, that is still well short of McCaffrey's achievement.

Both were in awe of their teammate for recording his 100th career touchdown.


"It's insane," Juszczyk told reporters, while Kittle added, "It's so sick."

"A hundred touchdowns—like, triple digits," Juszczyk continued, trying to fathom the massive total. "The guy's scored 600 points by himself ... I think it's the beginning of what will go down as a Hall of Fame career. I don't think he's going to end at 100, so he's going to continue to build on it."

Linebacker Fred Warner offered a defensive perspective on the milestone. And he should know. He goes against McCaffrey regularly in practice and is never shocked to see the running back achieve something few others can.

"CMC, he's the GOAT," Warner told reporters. "And so when GOATs do things like that, it's just kind of like, 'Oh, that's just another day at the office for old Christian.'

"But nobody works harder at their craft and is as dedicated to the game as Christian, and so everything that he does, he's earned it. And I know he's only going to continue to keep getting better, surprisingly."


For McCaffrey, the milestone is another reminder of what he has accomplished throughout his career, but it isn't what drives him. As the 49ers continue their season, he remains focused on improving, helping his teammates, and winning games.

Related News




Follow us on: X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram

Nobody's perfect. Did you find a mistake in this article? Report it.

Read Original Article
Visit 49ers Webzone

More San Francisco 49ers News