Christian McCaffrey, one of the best dual-threat running backs in NFL history, is seeing his workload slashed, and it’s creating a complicated situation for the San Francisco 49ers star. After leading the NFL with a staggering 413 touches last season, the most in the league since 2014, McCaffrey’s current total sits at just 80 through several games. That works out to an average of 16 touches per game, a number he hasn’t seen since his rookie year back in 2017.
The Numbers Are Wild, But So Is The Man
At 30 years old, with an incredible 2,364 career touches, McCaffrey knows all too well the toll the NFL takes on a body. That touch count places him second among all active players, so you’d think he’d be all in on taking it easy. He even understands that less pounding will likely extend his career. But this is Christian McCaffrey we’re talking about, an engine on every team he’s ever played for since he was a seven-year-old carrying the Douglas County Dolphins. “I want the ball every play,” McCaffrey said, admitting that desire has been with him since he was a kid.
Yet, this isn’t some disgruntled superstar complaining about his role. McCaffrey is a key part of a 5-0 team that also features future Hall of Fame candidates like tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Mike Evans. He gets the bigger picture, even if his gut reaction is to want the rock. “I want to win whatever it takes to win games,” he explained. He highlighted the team’s unique dynamic: “I think what I love about this team is you’ve got a bunch of selfish, unselfish guys. Obviously, people want the ball every play, but not at the expense of the team.” It’s a tough balance for a guy wired to dominate, but he’s making it work. As he put it, “It’s never my job to count them, but to make them count.”
Kyle Shanahan’s Master Plan To Reinvigorate The Rush
So, why is head coach Kyle Shanahan finally dialing back McCaffrey’s touches after years of pledging to do so? It’s not just about keeping McCaffrey healthy for the long haul. Shanahan’s real goal is to inject new life into the 49ers’ rushing attack, which needed a serious shot in the arm after last season.
Sure, McCaffrey was productive in 2025, ranking second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,126), sixth in catches (102), and even finishing fourth in MVP voting. But the numbers tell a different story about efficiency and explosiveness. He averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, his lowest since his 2017 rookie season, placing him 23rd among 26 running backs with 175-plus carries. Even more concerning, McCaffrey managed only three runs of 20-plus yards on 311 carries, averaging one big run every 110.3 attempts. Compare that to his first two-plus seasons with the 49ers, where he broke a 20-yard run every 28.3 attempts. The team’s rushing struggles were stark, ranking 24th in rushing yards per game (106.9) and a dismal 30th in yards per attempt (3.8). These were some of the worst rushing finishes in Shanahan’s 18 seasons as an offensive play-caller, matching lows from 2011 and 2009. Shanahan made it clear back in late March: “In order for us to be the running team we want to be in order to have Christian be as good as he can be throughout the whole year we’ve got to get someone helping.” That someone is rookie Kaelon Black, and it’s clear this new strategy is already reshaping one of the league’s most dynamic players.
It’s going to be fascinating to watch how this new approach to McCaffrey’s workload plays out for the 49ers as the season progresses. Can they maintain their 5-0 start and keep their rushing attack firing on all cylinders with a more distributed workload? This shift could define their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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