Former Offensive Player of the Year whose 2025 return brought 1,655 scrimmage yards and a Pro Bowl nod.
Christian McCaffrey lost most of 2024 to bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a PCL tear. The 2025 comeback was real. 849 rushing yards, 806 receiving yards, 85 catches, 237 carries, 1,655 scrimmage yards, and 13 total touchdowns across 14 games before late-season back and shoulder issues. He returned the dual-threat franchise weapon the 49ers built their offense around.
Path to the league
Stanford record-setter who finished as the Heisman runner-up in 2015. Panthers took him eighth overall in 2017. Was the NFL's first 1,000-1,000 player in 2019. Traded to San Francisco midway through the 2022 season for a Day-2 pick package. Won Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 with a 2,023-yard scrimmage season.
Career highlights
2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year. 2019 first-team All-Pro. Three-time Pro Bowler. Only player in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (2019). NFC Champion in 2023. 49ers' all-time franchise leader in receiving yards by a running back.
2025 season recap
Came back from Achilles tendonitis and a PCL injury that had limited him to four games in 2024. Through 14 games of 2025 he had 1,655 scrimmage yards on 85 catches and 237 carries with 13 total touchdowns. Late-season back and shoulder issues limited him in the final stretch, but the 49ers got the dual-threat version they needed for a 9-8 season that fell short of the playoffs.
What to watch in 2026
San Francisco drew the league's hardest travel script (three coast-to-coast trips on short weeks). McCaffrey turns 30 in June, an age where running back production usually drops. The 49ers signed him through 2027 in 2024. The team gave him significant rest in offseason work to preserve mileage. Health is the entire 2026 question.
Sources
- NBC Sports Bay Area: CMC 2025 outlook
- Pro Football Network: CMC injury update
- 49ers: Christian McCaffrey roster
Statistics
2025 season and career2025 Season · Rushing
17 games played▶Rushing · career
| Year | Team | GP | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49ers | 17 | 311 | 1,202 | 3.9 | 10 | 41 |
| 2024 | 49ers | 4 | 50 | 202 | 4.0 | 0 | 19 |
| 2023 | 49ers | 16 | 272 | 1,459 | 5.4 | 14 | 72 |
| 2022 | panthers | 6 | 85 | 393 | 4.6 | 2 | 49 |
| 2022 | 49ers | 11 | 159 | 746 | 4.7 | 6 | 38 |
| 2022 | 2022 Totals | 17 | 244 | 1,139 | 4.7 | 8 | 49 |
| 2021 | panthers | 7 | 99 | 442 | 4.5 | 1 | 18 |
| 2020 | panthers | 3 | 59 | 225 | 3.8 | 5 | 15 |
| 2019 | panthers | 16 | 287 | 1,387 | 4.8 | 15 | 84 |
| 2018 | panthers | 16 | 219 | 1,098 | 5.0 | 7 | 59 |
| 2017 | panthers | 16 | 117 | 435 | 3.7 | 2 | 40 |
▶Receiving · career
| Year | Team | GP | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 49ers | 17 | 102 | 924 | 9.1 | 7 | 39 |
| 2024 | 49ers | 4 | 15 | 146 | 9.7 | 0 | 30 |
| 2023 | 49ers | 16 | 67 | 564 | 8.4 | 7 | 41 |
| 2022 | panthers | 6 | 33 | 277 | 8.4 | 1 | 49 |
| 2022 | 49ers | 11 | 52 | 464 | 8.9 | 4 | 38 |
| 2022 | 2022 Totals | 17 | 85 | 741 | 8.7 | 5 | 49 |
| 2021 | panthers | 7 | 37 | 343 | 9.3 | 1 | 32 |
| 2020 | panthers | 3 | 17 | 149 | 8.8 | 1 | 24 |
| 2019 | panthers | 16 | 116 | 1,005 | 8.7 | 4 | 28 |
| 2018 | panthers | 16 | 107 | 867 | 8.1 | 6 | 38 |
| 2017 | panthers | 16 | 80 | 651 | 8.1 | 5 | 37 |
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Stanford
- Hometown
- Castle Rock, CO, USA
- Age
- 30
- Status
- active
Latest news about Christian McCaffrey
All news →The Raiders need a lot more from Ashton Jeanty. He says he doesn't want to come off the field.
Klint Kubiak's offense ranked last in rushing yards per game in 2025. The fix runs through his rookie of the year, a new center, and a scheme that wants Jeanty on the field for 80-plus percent of snaps.
Who is the 49ers' next reliable back behind Christian McCaffrey?
Jordan Mason left in free agency. Isaac Guerendo is healthy but unproven. The 49ers' offseason answer is fourth-round rookie Quinshon Judkins.
