Questions with the 49ers Running Back Room
Since head coach Kyle Shanahan arrived in San Francisco, there has always been a motivation to have depth and access at the running back position every offseason. In 2019, the 49ers were led by a dynamic running back by committee with a trio of efficient runners, including Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and Matt Breida. This worked for multiple seasons until they decided to acquire superstar running back Christian McCaffrey in a mid-season trade in 2022. McCaffrey took off and hit the ground running in a Shanahan offense where he became the main focal point.
San Francisco took a risk with McCaffrey as the running back was coming off multiple injury-riddled seasons in Carolina. In his debut season with the 49ers, he led the team to an NFC Championship appearance and followed it with another elite season where he earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors and led them to Super Bowl LVIII. The 49ers were confident and determined to bounce back after a heartbreaking Super Bowl loss by giving key players extensions, which included extending McCaffrey’s contract. However, concerns resurfaced this past season, derailing his 2024-2025 campaign as he was diagnosed with Achilles tendinitis to begin the season and suffered a PCL injury in his return in the snow against the Buffalo Bills. The team wasn’t able to bounce back, and there is now a level of concern next year on whether McCaffrey will ever revert back to his prime self.
It is difficult to see a world where the 49ers decide to move on from the star running back willingly, but they could adjust how they involve him fully in their offense. He has been a workhorse the past couple of seasons, and Shanahan has shifted away from giving the ball to anyone other than McCaffrey. It wouldn’t hurt the offense to transition back into what made the 49ers’ run game so potent when Shanahan first got to San Francisco. The team has always addressed the position in the draft with late-round gems. Most recent contributors like Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, and Jordan Mason were all drafted on Day three or undrafted.
Having multiple running backs who can be effective and consistent is integral in an outside zone offense run by Shanahan. You need to be able to hit creases in between the tackles and provide underrated athletic ability when getting to the second level. A player of McCaffrey’s level has that capability, but the concern throughout the rest of the offseason will be if McCaffrey can still be that type of player. Running backs have shorter careers than most positions for a reason. They get bruised and worn down from greater usage, so next season should be a good indicator on where the next step in McCaffrey’s career lies.
