The San Francisco 49ers are celebrating new contract terms for running back Christian McCaffrey this week. The former Panthers star received a two-year extension to his existing deal and will now average $19 million per year. It’s an additional $8 million over what he was originally going to make in the first two years of his deal, plus an increase in guaranteed money, which is now up to $24 million. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan applauded the running back for his consistency and the well-deserved raise on Tuesday.
“Every year he’s been in the league, it seems like he’s been the same since he’s walked in the building,” Shanahan said. “He’s been the same guy on and off the field. I’m pumped to have him here for a long time.”
McCaffrey’s new deal will keep him in San Francisco through the 2027 season and it re-sets the running back market. The league saw a trend of devalued running back contracts last offseason, but the Stanford alum is doing his part to bring the market back up.
“I think it’s really important,” McCaffrey said. “I think running backs have been undervalued for a long time now and hopefully this is a step in the right direction.”
Since his trade from the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey’s career is back on the upswing. He’s now helping the 49ers consistently play as one of the most dominant forces in the league.
He showed why he was one of the best players in the league yet again last season, rushing for 1,459 yards (career-high) and 14 touchdowns. As a receiver, he hauled in 564 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McCaffrey won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award for his performance and helping San Francisco advance to a Super Bowl appearance.
McCaffrey ready for Year 8 after extension
Over the course of his career, McCaffrey has racked up 1,297 carries for 6,158 yards, 52 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per carry, 509 catches, 4,320 receiving yards and 29 touchdown receptions.
McCaffrey is a three-time First-Team All-Pro (2019 for two positions and 2023) as well as Second-Team back in 2018. He was traded from the Panthers to the 49ers in October of 2022, adding a lot to the San Francisco offense.
He was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers out of Stanford. While in college, McCaffrey was a Heisman finalist but won the 2015 AP College Football Player of the Year award. He also won the Paul Hornung Award that season.
On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.
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