Rumored to be on the trade block for the past several days, Christian McCaffrey is on the move. The 49ers will acquire the former All-Pro Panthers running back, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
The 49ers are sending over a major haul for the sixth-year back. Carolina will acquire San Francisco’s second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round 2024 selection, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Bills and Rams were also rumored to be in on McCaffrey, and this compensation package certainly indicates interest was there. The trade is now official.
The Rams indeed made a push for CMC, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). Los Angeles has made a host of splashy in-season trades in recent years, moves that have helped produce Super Bowl berths, but the team stood down here. The 49ers now have McCaffrey signed through 2025. Despite this Thursday-night transaction, Rapoport notes McCaffrey is expected to play against the Chiefs on Sunday (Twitter link) in a presumably limited role.
The Panthers sought a first-round pick and change for McCaffrey this offseason and wanted a first-round equivalent now, as the two finalists (the 49ers and Rams) did not have 2023 first-rounders (video link). Carolina had opened the door to accepting a picks package headlined by Day 2 choices; that pivot led to a considerable boost in the franchise’s draft arsenal.
Although the Bills called to check on McCaffrey’s availability this offseason and were still interested as he hit the block, Rapoport adds they were not involved in these sweepstakes at the end (Twitter link). While the Bills will move forward with their Devin Singletary–James Cook backfield stable, the 49ers will add one of this era’s top dual-threat backs to theirs.
McCaffrey, 26, will join a 49ers running back cadre currently headed by Jeff Wilson. Starter Elijah Mitchell remains on IR with an MCL sprain but is expected to return around midseason. Like McCaffrey, Mitchell has battled injuries as a pro. Wilson (470 scrimmage yards, two touchdowns this season) has stayed healthy during Mitchell’s hiatus. While Wilson should still have a role, McCaffrey will obviously move into position as San Francisco’s top back for the stretch run.
Because the Panthers restructured McCaffrey’s contract this offseason, the 49ers only owe him $690K for the season’s remainder. However, CMC’s four-year, $64MM deal — still the running back benchmark 2 1/2 years after its finalization — includes base salaries of $11.8MM in 2023 and ’24 and $12MM in 2025. Considering the picks the 49ers are parting with, it does not seem like they view McCaffrey as a one-year rental. That said, only $1MM in injury guarantees remain on the deal, giving San Francisco some flexibility.
McCaffrey’s dominance at Stanford provided the onramp for him to become a rare modern-era top-10 running back draftee, and after a modest rookie year, he broke through with one of this period’s top running back seasons. Despite Cam Newton going down early in the 2019 season, McCaffrey made a run at Chris Johnson‘s single-season scrimmage yards record. He did not get there, but the 2,392-yard, 19-touchdown campaign — on top of a 1,965-yard 2018 season — led to the record-setting extension.
Of course, the 49ers are taking a gamble based on what McCaffrey’s 2020s have produced. A high ankle sprain early in the 2020 season began McCaffrey’s slide toward the “injury prone” label for which he has become known. In addition to injuries to both ankles over the past two years, McCaffrey has run into shoulder and hamstring maladies. In total, the former No. 8 overall pick missed 23 games from 2020-21.
The Panthers are cashing out here, with McCaffrey — chosen during Dave Gettleman‘s GM run — having played in all six games this season. CMC’s 670 scrimmage yards — 104 against the 49ers in Week 5 — rank fourth in the NFL through six games. Carolina also traded Robbie Anderson and is rumored to be willing to ship out eighth-year veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.
The 49ers are giving up far more than they did for Emmanuel Sanders at the 2019 deadline; the veteran wideout cost third- and fourth-round picks. But McCaffrey provides a much higher ceiling and had much of the Matt Rhule era to conserve his body. McCaffrey gives the 49ers a fourth All-Pro on offense, joining George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams.
The 49ers are sacrificing much of their 2023 draft, as they do not have a 2023 first-rounder (sent to the Dolphins for the Trey Lance draft slot). But the NFC West squad still has two third-rounders in 2023, due to Washington’s Martin Mayhew GM hire and Miami’s Mike McDaniel HC move. However, this is a bit of a zag for the team. The 49ers gave Jerick McKinnon a top-five (at the time) running back deal in 2018; he missed the next two seasons. After McKinnon and Tevin Coleman‘s contracts came off their books in 2021, the 49ers have rolled with low-cost backfields. It does not get more expensive than McCaffrey at this position.
The McCaffrey family has some familiarity with the 49ers and the Shanahans as well. Christian McCaffrey’s father, Ed, is better known for his Broncos days, but the former possession receiver was on the 1994 49ers’ Super Bowl-winning team. Ed McCaffrey played for Kyle Shanahan‘s father, Mike — George Seifert‘s offensive coordinator on that dominant squad — before following the elder Shanahan to Denver in 1995. Ed played nine years for Mike Shanahan in Denver. Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey each spent time around the Mike Shanahan-era Broncos, though the latter was obviously a child at the time.
With three 2023 picks plus the 2024 fifth-rounder, the Panthers are collecting a somewhat surprising package for a running back. Although David Johnson brought the Cardinals DeAndre Hopkins — in a widely panned 2020 deal that featured a second-round pick going to the Texans as well — no back had brought more than merely a third-round pick since the 2013 Trent Richardson Browns-Colts swap. This trade will boost a transitioning Panthers team come April.
Carolina, which was without some ammo in this year’s draft due to trades for Sam Darnold and C.J. Henderson, sent its 2023 third-rounder to New England in order to trade up for Matt Corral. The Panthers, however, do have their own first- and second-rounders next year. With the picks the 49ers are sending, the NFC South club will have six picks in the first four rounds next year. In the meantime, the Panthers have offseason pickup D’Onta Foreman and 2021 draftee Chuba Hubbard to pick up the pieces in their backfield.
Wow!
Wow
Wow indeed, I definitely like the move for many reasons. Firstly his experience in a zone run schemes so he’ll fit right into shanahans system. And his receiving ability should allow kittle some more one on one opportunities that he dominates.
Kinda shocked by this
team that needs pass catching back , trades for best pass catching back, usurping rival Rams in the process
in hindsight this is pretty clear.
I never really bought the notion that the Bills who have 3 sturdy RB would give up major assets for CMac.. the bills offer was prob centered around swapping Moss or Cook + a mid round pick , while hoping teams wouldn’t give up a boatload of picks like the 9erd did.
Excellent move by the 49ers. Christian is a heck of an athlete… Injuries happen, it’s a violent sport…
For once the midseason NFL stove is red hot
Anybody else got the news broken to them on TNF by Al Michaels???
This means that now he’s a 49er he’ll only play in 3-4 games this year?
They have 3 3rd round picks so essentially a low 2 a low 4 and a low 5. Not bad
A lot of picks but we need a rb
RB is the easiest position on a roster to fill though. It just looks to me that Lynch has lost confidence in the scouting department and is willing to roll the dice. If the gamble pays off he’ll have added job security but if it doesn’t he’ll get sacked.
San Francisco has appeared to be a team where the coach gets a lot of say in personnel decisions. Shanahan comes with such a specific scheme and would rather fit new players into that than adapt to the players themselves. How will McCaffery fit into that? I suppose we’ll see, and that’s another discussion, but I believe that Shanahan angled for this move specifically more than Lynch. I could be wrong, of course. There is a tenuous Shanahan-McCaffery connection as well, given their roots in Denver.
its not hard to see the role he will fit. More the Deebo role with him being more the RB than the receiver … kinda reverse Deebo if you will.
Wow does SF have any draft picks left the next 2 years?
They still have 2 3rd round picks next year as comps for coaches leaving.
Colorado native…GOAT
Following the Rams blueprint of having no draft picks?
Absolutely insane. I’m excited to watch that offense with him, don’t get me wrong, but a haul for an injury prone running back—and one who might be too expensive to hold after this year.
2023 theyre projected to have 27 mill in cap space before McCaffrey. 2024 64 million.
If there’s any cap issues they’ll just restructure contracts to create room like 99% of the league does.
I’m personally not a big fan of this trade for the 49ers. Mainly b/c in Shanahans offense you can plug play pretty much anyone into 1,000 yards.
Melvin Gordon has had his issues this year but would have been a better gamble I think. Significantly lower cost. Sometimes change of scenery helps.
Josh Jacobs
Cam Akers(unlikely due to rival)
David Montgomery
Damien Harris
Miles Gaskin
A lot of guys who could have given them decent production for a lot cheaper.
Giving up this much draft capitol esp in a make or break year in 2023 for your franchise QB in Lance seems like a gamble they may regret.
Did you honestly just use CMC and Melvin Gordon on the same comment? Melvin Gordon doesn’t have a fraction of the talent or upside of CMC. Gordon honestly looks too old and slow to be a feature back in the NFL. Also SF still has to sign Deebo Samuel to a large extension
Samuel got a large extension. It’s Bosa who still needs one.
As for CMC’s talent and upside, it’s only manifested two really good years. 2019 is a while ago now.
That wasn’t his point, TMQ. It was not a direct comparison between the two (very different) backs. Gordon is a bigger, between the tackles runner, whereas McCaffery is an outside back with great receiving talent. Gordon is also still an effective runner in terms of ability, he just can’t stop turning the ball over. It’s hard to gauge McCaffery’s level of effectiveness due to the threat of injury related absence, but I would agree that he’s a better talent. The games missed is the concern there.
The point that Jung was trying to make was that Gordon would have been a much cheaper acquisition that the 9ers could have gotten production from. The concern with Gordon is, again, turnovers. This was not a direct comparison, and that was fairly evident.
Reading isn’t your strong suit is it TMQ
“Melvin Gordon has had his issues this year but would have been a better gamble I think. Significantly lower cost. Sometimes change of scenery helps………A lot of guys who could have given them decent production for a lot cheaper.”
The Montgomery name stood out to me. Given that the team’s a disaster, the presence of Herbert, and Montgomery being in a walk year, you’d think he would be available for much less than this.
TMQ
He is talking RB in general grouping. Its like if i start a discussion on QBs and mention Tom Brady and Nathan Peterman as QBs that played in the AFC east .. i am not comparing them but stating they both played in the same conference (although play is stretching it for Peterman). I still dont know how Nathan stayed in the league so long and what gruden saw in him.
as a 49ers fan and a huge cmc fan from his college days I love the deal but have to admit it’s a big overpay in my opinion. it’s obviously super bowl or bust. if it works cmc gets restructured. if it doesn’t the niners window of competitiveness closes quickly.
Wow. Niners pushing their chips to the middle of the table here.
Glad no Bills move, he was a commodity that they don’t need. Cook will be just fine for $10 million a year less
I hope the Panthers give Hubbard a shot to be their lead back the rest of the year. Only 23 years old. See you’ve got in this kid.
He has his shot last year and didn’t look like a starting caliber NFL back
He was also a rookie last year and it’s not like this team is going anywhere.
Niners really have no excuses now.
CMC one of the best RBs
Deebo one of the best WRers along Ayuik
Arguably the leagues best TE in Kittle
Trent Williams on the o line and a defence which has been one of the best for many seasons with a bunch of notable names
CMC and Deebo will be such a good tandem as both can run the ball and be threats catching the ball. Not to mention you have Kittle aswell.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they switched back to Jimmy G, less exciting and spectacular but has taken them deep into the playoffs before. More reliable and dependable and wins games
Sorry but there isn’t a single argument you could make that Kittle is the best TE in football.
There’s this guy named Kelce…
He would be if he had a play caller that used him correctly.
Switched back to Jimmy G from whom? Is there a third QB in the mix?
As an injury prone rb he will fit right in
Panthers Twitter not happy.. Calling for Tepper’s head.
But, I said I would follow McCaffrey though.. so 49ers.. how you doin?
This is exactly what the panthers needed to do. They aren’t contending this year or next year for sure. Why have and expensive and often injured running back on the team when you can get this return for him?
Don’t tell the Giants you can’t contend in a ‘rebuilding’ year. Good coaching, while limiting TO’s and penalties will always win games in the league.
Of the three picks for next year, one will start, one will be a marginal role player, and one will be a bust. Outside of first and second round picks, clinging to draft picks has gotten overrated. SF barely gave up anything, it’s a good deal for them.
That’s why teams who draft well are so often ones who draft a lot. It’s about hits, not batting average.
I wouldn’t go that far, but I don’t think that the haul is as great as people say. The Panthers were asking for far too much, but you are correct in stating that about half of those picks will be expected to be told players. If one assumes that McCaffery would miss enough games to limit his production, the picks are a better value by default, but it still probably only boils down to a couple of players long term.
First and second round picks carry intrinsic value; in my mind, anything lower relies on the skill of your G.M. and/or scouting department to be effective. In fairness, all picks rely on the G.M. to impart any value, but it’s obviously easier to land talent in the first and second. I don’t know if Carolina will have the skill and the consistency in regime to get the most of those picks, since only one is really valuable. A good draft can turn the others into good value; an average or below draft will squander them more easily than the second. We’ll just have to see.
No pick means anything in the long run if the team drafting can’t get it right and draft athletes that will actually help re-build the team or add to the current roster….of course, having he right coaching is paramount….see Daboll on the Giants using many players who were absolutely denigrated in the press for a lack of skills who are actually contributing in a different scheme with better coaching than previously.
Perfect for the niners. He will right fit in . Where else can a guy go play 30 % of a season and fit right in.
It wasn’t exactly Herschel Walker for half the Vikings deals
Shanahan is probably going to use him as the long snapper. #offensivegenius
It should be against the rules for a front office to trade away as much draft capital as the Rams and the 49ers have done. I hate to see what those two teams will look like from 2024-2030 with the cupboard emptied like that.
All they know is that, for now, the Rams are the talk of the town for finally having success doing the “buy a team and screw future regimes” strategy that they’ve failed at in previous years. The Bucs did it before them, and other teams will inevitably be more willing to do that, but we’ll see in five or ten years how effective they are. Of course, it’s best to have at least one generational talent to not have to worry about replacing. For the Rams, that’s Donald.
It seems as if teams are taking the Bucs/Brady strategy, or the Jerry Jones “all in” strategy to another level…….having a generational talent on one side of the ball certainly is better than not, but that won’t keep Stafford upright long enough, or healthy enough to win consistently in LA, and it seems that Lynch in SF is jealous of the spotlight on the Rams a little further down the CA coast…..especially being 3-3, with some tough games coming up this season and banking on Mac to be able to stay healthy…..
Most franchises would take 1 super bowl win over consistently winning football games. That goes in every sport too.
That was the Rams second SB using picks for vets. They lost with Goff but had the same system in place.
I know and That’s fine but they didn’t win it all. Like I said mostly every franchise would take 1 SB win over 10 playoff seasons with early exits.
But the Rams do win constantly with their methodology. Goff was drafted in 2016. Here’s their record since their last 1st round draft pick
’16- 4-12
’17- 1st place in their division
’18- 1st again
’19- 9-7
’20- 2nd place
’21- 1st place.
That’s a winning formula they use. On the flip side, Miami has had 5 1st round draft picks in the 2020 & 21 draft. And currently have a 500 record?
@Arty The Rams look okay for now but they are compound borrowing draft picks. As the Rams have fewer and fewer draft picks, they have to trade more and more of what’s left to acquire yet more vets. This will blow up and we’ll end up with Sean McVay in a broadcast booth for decades like John Madden or Jon Gruden.
Franchises who would like to gamble on a Super Bowl win in exchange for a decade of mediocrity will not be popular with fans for long. Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots do it well, building long term with consistent excellence. No shortage of Super Bowls either.
American short term mentality has infected everything. Following max out short term value guidelines, we’d leave nothing of value behind and destroy the planet. Hey that’s what we’re doing!
Everyone says that all the time about hurting themselves ‘down the road’. Their recent record says that is not true. As of now, the Rams have 6 picks in the next draft. And who knows how many comp picks they might get as well.
You like DC right? Would you rather have their record over that time or the Rams? DC has sunk at least 5 1st round picks in their recent history on the D and it’s, at best, an average D.
In fact, the league is now copying the Rams. Look at all of those WR trades this past offseason. Tons of picks were thrown around by franchises. Now, the same for CMC.
It may come across as unorthodox for the league, but clearly the results say they make it work. I’ll agree, It isn’t a system for all franchises.
You cannot sit here and act like you are happy about the state of the Rams. The O-Line looks blind, there’s not a wideout worth $1 besides Kupp. The defense has looked weak. They’ll win just that 1 SB. then by 2025 will be back to perennial losers again.
@arty You argue your point well.
Still, that Super Bowl glow will dim rapidly with each year. One 3-14 season (wow, much preferred 16 game seasons, normal developmental pre-season to properly test the new bodies and play properly out of the gate) when Stafford plays with chronic injury and everyone in LA will be wringing their hands and wailing.
A lot of draft capital for a guy who will spend more of the time in the trainers room than the field.
Way too many picks for a RB.
You read everywhere ‘Never draft a RB in the 1st round..’. But trading 4 picks for a RB is acceptable now?
Him and Kittle have their own desks in the trainer’s room
Meanwhile…The Chicago Bears front office wakes up and realizes their dial up connection is slow and there’s a trade deadline coming up.
Getting McCaffrey without giving up a 1st rounder is crazy. Are the 49ers even going to attend next year’s draft? At the rate they’re going they won’t have any picks left.
Makes Montgomery the next RB to be moved he’s not quite as good but he can help anybody needing a all purpose back
Montgomery is underrated and can be had probably for a 4th rounder or package of a 5th and 6th. Defenses just stack 8 in box against the Bears because they can’t throw.
You would think the Rams would be more interested in bringing in a quality lineman instead of showing interest in a luxury item like CHC. Good on 49ers in their pursuit of excellence.
Of we could only get rid of Tepper!
In fantasy I’ve been holding into Eli Mitchell since week 2. This does not help at all
In reality this is a great move for the 9ers. When healthy he is the top running back in the league
I was saying the same thing with Deebo, he gonna definitely lose points but the upside for the 49ers is awesome.
I doubt that. Deebo is going to be a pure receiver now which is good for his fantasy stats. If McCaffery can draw safety attention on play action, Deebo is going to average more than his 10 yards after catch per reception he was averaging last year. McCaffery should open it up for some big plays.
i see your point of view but he is averaging around 80% of the snaps in a dual role and with Mccaffrey eating into that count there are less opportunities. Dont forget the last full season Mccaffrey played he was number 2 overall in receptions. Even this year outside of one big game he is averaging around low teen points in that dual role in a ppr. Still very good receiver stats and keeps him borderline 1 / 2 WR.
Being a pure receiver on this team probably takes away screens and turns him more into deep threat on most plays and becomes boom or bust type like desean used to be on initial eagles. Remember you also have Aiyuk who is out there around 90% of the snaps as a pure receiver and Kittle as well who is a top 5 tight end and gobbles up the middle. Then adding Mccaffrey for over the middle and screens. I see Deebo dropping more WE 2 / 3 just because of the share/opportunities not the talent.
I could be wrong and the defenses will spread thin and he get that big play once a game but ive always been a more you have more opportunities opens up more chances. Cant score if you not on the field and with kittle aiyuk already high 80s over 90 percent snaps already and Mccaffrey coming in and potentially taking more snaps and part of his role has me thinking less points / opportunities.