It has been exactly one year since the 49ers traded for Christian McCaffrey. On October 20, 2022 the 49ers sent their second, third and fourth round picks in this year's draft to the Carolina Panthers along with a fifth round selection in 2024 for the star running back.
Everything has changed for the 49ers who were 3-3 at the time and in the midst of a second consecutive blasé start to a season. McCaffrey quickly got himself up to speed well enough to play just two days after his arrival in Santa Clara.
CMC had 10 touches for 62 yards against the Chiefs but San Francisco was blown out by the eventual Super Bowl champions 44-23 at Levi's Stadium.
From there the 49ers would go on to win 12 consecutive games until losing to Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. McCaffrey began that run by rushing for a touchdown, receiving a touchdown pass and throwing for another in his first start against the Rams. It was off to the races for McCaffrey, who has now scored a touchdown in 15 straight games.
Kyle Shanahan discussed how much McCaffrey has meant to the 49ers on Thursday.
“Just a ton. I mean, just how good he has been from what you guys have seen, how dependable he has been, how reliable he has been, how he learns everything, not just the running backs and stuff. So, it's real easy to put a lot on his plate, move him around each week. I think just the example he sets for everybody and the guy is, I mean, he reminds me of just a basic mentality, like a walk-on guy, who's just trying to get people's attention for working so hard. He is one of the most talented guys in the league and was in college coming out and every single play it's like the biggest thing in the world, whether he is getting the ball or not. It's a really great example of how to be as a football player.”
The 49ers are 17-2 in games McCaffrey has started (including the playoffs) and the only two losses have been in games where either he (at Cleveland on Sunday) or Brock Purdy (NFC Championship) couldn't finish due to injury.
CMC has averaged 5.6 yards a touch since joining San Francisco with 19 touchdowns in 17 regular season games. His gravity, along with the emergence of Brock Purdy has allowed other 49ers skill players such as Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle to thrive.
The 49ers are Super Bowl contenders this season and potentially in season's to come because of the trade they pulled off one year ago today.