Christian McCaffrey is absolutely locked and loaded for Week 1 of the 2026 season, and that’s obviously huge. But what’s really got everyone buzzing is rookie Kaelon Black. This dude is turning heads, and fast. After Brian Robinson Jr. proved a significant upgrade as the backup last year, Black might actually be even better, adding some serious depth.
The Rookie Who Could Change Everything
Black has been tearing it up in preseason. We’re talking so impressive you could almost overreact and call him an heir apparent to McCaffrey, even though McCaffrey still has plenty of football left. The hope is Black quickly gives head coach Kyle Shanahan the confidence to pull McCaffrey for a play or two without missing a beat. Shanahan himself admitted it was tough when Christian came out because he is such a good runner and receiver. But last year, with a “really, really good back” behind him, Shanahan said he wasn’t “so upset on all these plays because you know you’ve got a guy coming in there who you shouldn’t miss a beat on.” That kind of trust is exactly what Black needs to earn. Being a rookie, first order of business for Black is getting Shanahan’s full trust, and that means holding onto the ball when it’s handed to him.
The Snap Count Showdown
Let’s be real, McCaffrey played nearly 83 percent of the offensive snaps during the 2025 season. So much for those “plays off,” right? Shanahan usually runs CMC way more than most armchair GMs think he should, simply because McCaffrey is just *that good*. The logical split would be something like McCaffrey at 65 percent, Black taking 30 percent, and Jordan James snagging the remaining five. This allows McCaffrey to rest while the offense doesn’t drop off. But logic and Shanahan’s usage of McCaffrey? Sometimes those things don’t quite align. More likely than not, McCaffrey is going 90 percent of the time this year.
Week 1 is right around the corner. Will Shanahan finally trust his new depth enough to dial back McCaffrey’s snaps, or will CMC once again be the workhorse everyone expects? It is the biggest question for that backfield as the season kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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