Christian McCaffrey: Everything you need to know

McCaffrey said after Thursday's OTAs that he's looking forward to sustaining another heavy workload in 2026, and that any reductions in touches should come in practice rather than games, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. "I think everything else can be monitored during the week or with a practice schedule or certain ways you train, whatever it may be," McCaffrey said. "But when it comes to game days, I like to think you prepare yourself for playing every snap." McCaffrey handled a career-high 413 touches during the 2025 regular season, leading the NFL in that category for the third time in his nine-year career. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the offseason that the team would like to provide McCaffrey more help in the backfield to ensure the star running back stays fresh and effective down the stretch, but McCaffrey has no plans to cede a significant share of regular-season snaps to any of Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), Patrick Taylor, Jordan Mims or Jermar Jefferson, all of whom are competing for slotting behind McCaffrey on San Francisco's running back depth chart.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that "in order to have [McCaffrey] be as good as he can be throughout the whole year, we've got to get someone to help him," Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. McCaffrey earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2025, in which he suited up for all 17 regular-season games while racking up 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns on a career-high 413 touches. Shanahan acknowledged that McCaffrey, who will turn 30 in June and was limited to just four appearances in 2024 due to Achilles and knee issues, may have had his efficiency hampered by his workhorse role in 2025, as he averaged just 3.9 YPC. Jordan James and Isaac Guerendo are current candidates to compete for an increased No. 2 role behind McCaffrey following the departure of Brian Robinson for Atlanta, but the 49ers also could make further additions to the backfield in April's draft.

McCaffrey was named the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year on Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. McCaffrey was limited to only four games in 2024 due to Achilles and knee injuries, but he managed to suit up for all 17 regular-season contests in 2025. He also handled an impressive 413 total touches while racking up 2,126 yards from scrimmage. McCaffrey's rushing efficiency took a concerning dip, but his involvement as a pass catcher should help him retain elite fantasy value in 2026.