He’s still the engine. If you turned on the TV last Sunday, you saw it. Christian McCaffrey isn't just "still around" in 2026; he’s currently spearheading a San Francisco 49ers playoff run that nobody saw coming six months ago.
After a 2024 season that felt like a slow-motion car crash due to those brutal bilateral Achilles issues, people were ready to write the obituary on his career. You heard the whispers. "He’s 29." "The tread is gone." "Running backs don't recover from that."
Well, those whispers have gone pretty quiet lately.
Today, January 15, 2026, Christian McCaffrey is officially preparing for a massive Divisional Round showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. This comes just days after he basically willed the 49ers to a 23-19 upset over the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. He didn't just play; he dominated, racking up 114 total yards and catching two fourth-quarter touchdowns. One of those was a 29-yarder on a trick play from Jauan Jennings. It was vintage CMC.
Where is Christian McCaffrey today in terms of health?
Honestly, the biggest surprise of the 2025-2026 season wasn't the stats. It was the availability. McCaffrey played all 17 regular-season games. Think about that for a second. After missing almost the entire 2024 campaign, he suited up every single week.
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Right now, he’s nursing some back stiffness. He missed a practice session on Tuesday, which naturally sent 49ers Twitter into a full-blown panic. But the word out of Santa Clara—and from McCaffrey himself—is that it’s "not serious." He’s expected to be full-go for Saturday night’s kickoff.
It’s a different version of McCaffrey than we saw in Carolina. He’s smarter. He knows when to go out of bounds. But the explosiveness? It’s still there. He finished the regular season with 1,202 rushing yards and 924 receiving yards. He’s the first-team All-Pro all-purpose player for a reason. He basically lives in the 2,000-scrimmage-yard club.
The Contract and the $40 Million Question
Money talks. And in 2026, McCaffrey’s bank account is shouting. Back in June 2024, he signed that two-year, $38 million extension. It was a bold move by John Lynch, especially given the injury history at the time.
Today, that deal looks like a bargain for a guy who is effectively a WR1 and an RB1 wrapped into one human being. His net worth is sitting right around $40 million. Between the 49ers' checks and his deals with Nike and Bose, he’s doing just fine.
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But there’s a catch.
There’s a "potential out" in his contract this offseason. If the 49ers wanted to move on—which sounds insane right now—they could. However, with the way he’s playing, expect them to ride this wave as long as his legs allow. He's carrying a cap hit of about $10.8 million this year. In the world of NFL economics, that’s a steal for a guy who accounts for 40% of your offense.
Life Beyond the Turf: The Salute to Service
It’s not all about the "C-Gap" and "Choice Routes." Just this morning, the NFL announced McCaffrey as a finalist for the 15th Annual Salute to Service Award.
He’s spent a lot of time lately working with his foundation, specifically the "23 and Troops" initiative. He’s big on treating veterans like elite athletes, focusing on their mental and physical wellness. It’s a side of him that doesn't always make the highlight reels, but it’s where he spends most of his Tuesday's (the players' traditional day off).
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He’s also been vocal about his faith. After the win in Philly, he was pretty quick to tell reporters "God is good." He seems more settled now than he ever was in Charlotte. Maybe it’s the West Coast vibe, or maybe it’s just the perspective that comes with almost losing your career to an injury.
What happens after the Seahawks game?
Look, we have to talk about the "age 30" wall. McCaffrey turns 30 this June. For a running back, that’s usually the cliff. He had a career-high in touches this year because the Niners had to lean on him so hard after George Kittle’s Achilles injury.
Can he do it again in 2026?
The 49ers are currently 4.5-point underdogs heading into Seattle. If they win, the "McCaffrey is back" narrative becomes "McCaffrey is a legend." If they lose, the conversation immediately shifts to how they manage his workload next year. They’ve got guys like Brian Robinson and Isaac Guerendo in the wings, but nobody does what #23 does.
If you’re watching him today, you’re watching a guy who has defied the medical odds. He’s healthy, he’s rich, and he’s one win away from the NFC Championship.
Actionable Insights for Following CMC’s Journey:
- Monitor the Friday Injury Report: Check the 49ers' official status for the Seattle game. If that "back stiffness" upgrades to "limited," his snap count might actually decrease in favor of more receiving reps.
- Watch the Target Share: Without Kittle, McCaffrey's value is in the air. If he gets 8+ targets, the 49ers usually win.
- Offseason Contract Watch: Keep an eye on March 2026. If the 49ers restructure his deal again, it means they are all-in on him for at least two more seasons.
- Fantasy Value: If you’re in a playoff league, he’s still the undisputed RB1. Don't overthink the "lost a step" talk—the production says otherwise.