SANTA CLARA — About an hour before Friday’s 49ers practice started, Christian McCaffrey landed at San Jose Airport and made his way to the team facility. After passing his physical, he joined his teammates on the field to watch the walk-through session before Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs.
So, will the 49ers prized new trade acquisition from the Carolina Panthers make his debut in a couple days? General manager John Lynch told reporters that McCaffrey is already lobbying to play and telling his new team to treat it like he’s playing a road game.
"It’s a tall order,” Lynch said. “We’re gonna do what’s right by Christian and what’s right by our team."
Lynch said he wheels started moving on the trade when the team was in Charlotte for its Week matchup against the Panthers, when he was able to speak with Carolina VP of Football Ops Scott Fritter face-to-face. The Niners then started negotiations while the team was at The Greenbrier hotel in West Virginia ahead of its Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, as the Panthers fired coach Matt Rhule following the 37-15 loss to the 49ers.
"It all came to fruition (Wednesday) night," Lynch said.
The 49ers parted with 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round pick along with a 2024 fifth-rounder. The franchise has some extra draft capital in 2023 with the hiring of former minority coaches and execs like Robert Saleh, Martin Mayhew and Mike McDaniel in recent years. Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is also a prime candidate to receive a head-coaching gig this offseason. Each time a minority is hired as general manager or head coach, the person's former franchise is rewarded third-round compensatory picks in each of the following two years.
Lynch said that adding McCaffrey already has boosted morale within in the 49ers locker room.
“I really believe he gave the locker room a jolt when he walked in,” Lynch said.
The 49ers are currently 3-3 but now viewed as the betting favorites in the NFC West. The Rams reportedly were in the mix as a possible suitor for McCaffrey and Lynch admitted it was nice to get a deal done before his divisional rival.
“I’m sure he’s glad he’s here and not there," Lynch said.
So long as he can stay healthy, McCaffrey’s versatility as a pass-catcher out the backfield should open up things for the offense. Shanahan has two of the game’s best dual running/receiving threats now in CMC and Deebo Samuel. Like the rest of us, Lynch is excited to see how it all plays out.
“He’s a lot more than just a running back,” Lynch said. “I think he’s a perfect player for the way Kyle and our staff does things. … He and Deebo to me are very similar players. I’m excited to see what we draw up.”
In six games this season, McCaffrey has 393 rushing yards (4.6 yards per carry), 33 receptions for 277 yards and three total touchdowns.
“He’s an incredibly accomplished receiver, he’s got tremendous feel, he can play with speed, he can play with power, he can play with quickness,” Lynch said. “He can do it all.”
Lynch sent a message to his team, that they’re going for it all this season.
"You only do this when you have belief in your team as it's constructed,” Lynch said, before adding, “We got a lot of work to do. This isn’t a magic pill.”
