Christian McCaffrey: Everything you need to know

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.

McCaffrey rushed the ball 11 times for 35 yards in Saturday's 41-6 divisional-round loss to the Seahawks. He added five receptions on six targets for 39 yards. McCaffrey had a relatively muted stat line by his lofty standards, though he was one of the few players who was effective to any degree in the 49ers' offense. His longest gains from scrimmage all came as a receiver, as four of his five receptions went for at least eight yards. McCaffrey was limited as a rusher by the game script, and he was also forced to depart from the game on two separate occasions due to a stinger in his left shoulder. While it was a disappointing loss, McCaffrey turned in a standout effort for the campaign as a whole, logging 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 total touchdowns across 17 regular-season contests.