During a period when running backs are being passed over by NFL clubs, Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers continue to be an anomaly in the market.
In 2022, the 49ers defied expectations by trading for him from the Carolina Panthers for a substantial haul of draft assets, including second, third, and fourth round selections in 2023 as well as a fifth round pick in 2024. In keeping with that, the Niners inked him to a two-year contract deal on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid player in the league at that position with a salary of almost $19 million each season.Selecting running backs on the second day of the draft, using them extensively during their rookie contracts, and then repeating the procedure for their next deal has become an increasing trend in the NFL in recent years.
Despite McCaffrey putting a lot of miles on his body over the course of his career and the 49ers deciding to stick with him past his age-30 season, they are not doing that with him.
It demonstrates what a unique player McCaffrey is and how crucial he is to the 49ers’ attack.
He is an essential component of the 49ers passing game in addition to being a powerful runner and among the best in the league when it comes to running the ball. He can contribute to the offense from almost every position on the field, including the backfield, the slot, and out wide.
For the second time in his career, he topped the league in total touchdowns and yards from scrimmage during the 2023 campaign. He is a key component that keeps the 49ers offensive engine running smoothly and provides quarterback Brock Purdy with a terrific sense of security.
He is compensated as such by the 49ers.
Adhering too closely to trends might be risky in the sports world. Bringing in new players every few years and rotating among young, inexpensive running backs makes a lot of financial sense for most players and clubs. However, these rules are not infallible, and the genuinely great players are usually able to distinguish themselves from the rest.
One of those players is McCaffrey, whose significance to the 49ers cannot be overemphasized. They should make sure they retain him since he is a game-changer for them even if it means losing a valuable offensive player in a later season.
