A former longtime 49er who played under Kyle Shanahan says that if the coach could create a player in a lab, it would be one of his current players.
Christian McCaffrey’s midseason arrival in San Francisco in 2022 turned Kyle Shanahan’s already potent offense into nightmare fuel for opposing defenses. The 49ers, who were 3-3 at the time of the trade, reeled off 12 straight wins before losing in the NFC championship game. In McCaffrey’s first game, he destroyed the Los Angeles Rams with three touchdowns: one receiving, one rushing, and one passing!
He’s also scored a touchdown in an incredible 15 straight games. McCaffrey’s ability to literally do everything on a football field unlocks the full force of the 49ers’ revolutionary offense. Here’s how CMC operates as Shanahan’s quintessential weapon.
Christian McCaffery’s Special Delivery
Before McCaffrey arrived, the 49ers offense still ranked among the league leaders thanks to a star-studded lineup including Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Trent Williams. However, Shanahan needed a skeleton key to truly unlock the position-less revolution that he craved to unleash on the league.
From the jump, former All-Pro tight end Kittle could see the road map for the team becoming unguardable,
I mean right when we got him, I was like, it’s like (the) Madden (video game) for Kyle. He can just make up whatever he wants to make up. Who do you want to take away?
Over his first 20 games in San Francisco, CMC led the NFL in the following categories: scrimmage yards (2,239), touchdowns (22), first downs (127), carries of 10+ yards (40), and carries of 20+ yards (13). He’s also first in receptions (87), receiving yards (702), and receiving yards after contact (169) among running backs.oloolloplolopllolop
Kyle Shanahan’s Madden Dream
Kittle wasn’t the only one seeing Shanahan’s dream player come to life. Former All-Pro offensive tackle Joe Staley, who played for the 49ers from 2007 to 2019 and spent his final three years in the league under Shanahan spoke to the coach’s dream player:
If Kyle was able to create a player, on Madden to play on his team, it would be Christian, just his ability, not only as a running back. But as a receiver. He’s a willing blocker. He’s an incredible leader. And I think everything off the field too, with his mentality. He really is one of those guys, that raises the level of everybody around them. It’s very selfless. People don’t say enough great things about him as a human being. And I think he’s shown on the field, what that product becomes when you have that mentality coupled with the athletic ability that he has.
The CMC Fit In San Francisco
Although McCaffrey brings numerous tactical advantages to the table, his coach appreciates how he carries himself. As Shanahan put it,
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.
49ers full back Kyle Juszczyk remains in awe of CMC’s versatility,
I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do. He can run between the tackles, he can run outside, he can run routes, he can pick up blitz protections. He’s just such a complete football player and a guy that you can put anywhere. You can put him at running back, you can put him at receiver, and he’s going to go out there and excel.
McCaffrey himself just thanks his lucky stars that he made it to Shanahan and company in the Bay, “In hindsight, I firmly believe it’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
