Christian McCaffrey is still the engine of the San Francisco 49ers.
If you're asking who does Christian McCaffrey play for right now, the answer hasn't changed since that blockbuster trade in 2022, but the context sure has. He’s wearing number 23 for the Niners, and honestly, he's basically become the identity of Kyle Shanahan's offense.
It hasn't been a smooth ride lately. After a 2024 season that felt like a total wash due to those nagging Achilles injuries that kept him sidelined for 13 games, people started whispering. Was he washed? Could a running back approaching 30 really carry a team again?
McCaffrey answered that by putting up a ridiculous 2025 campaign. He didn't just play; he lived on the field, appearing in all 17 regular-season games and dragging the 49ers back into the postseason. He finished that year with 1,202 rushing yards and nearly 1,000 receiving yards. It was vintage CMC.
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The Contract That Keeps Him in San Francisco
One big reason people keep checking in on his status is the money. Back in June 2024, the 49ers locked him down with a two-year, $38 million extension. That deal was massive because it essentially reset the running back market at a time when most teams were treating RBs like they were disposable.
The contract keeps him in San Francisco through the 2027 season. He's currently set to make a base salary of $19 million in 2026. That is a lot of cash for a guy with his injury history, but when you look at the 2025 stats—10 rushing touchdowns and 7 receiving scores—you see why they paid up. He’s not just a runner. He's a slot receiver who happens to be great at pass protection and elite at finding the edge.
Recent Heartbreak and the "Stinger" in Seattle
Right now, the 49ers are licking their wounds after a brutal 41-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round of the 2026 playoffs. It was a mess. McCaffrey actually gave everyone a scare during that game on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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He went down with a shoulder stinger in the first half. He’s tough, so he came back in the third quarter, but you could tell he was hurting. Eventually, the coaching staff just shut him down because the game was a blowout.
After the loss, McCaffrey was pretty emotional. He called 2025 "one of the hardest years" of his life. Between the rehab from 2024 and the sheer volume of touches he took this past year—413 total touches in the regular season—the guy is exhausted.
Why He’s More Than Just a Player to the 49ers
The Bay Area has really embraced him. Just this week, he was named the winner of the 2026 Bart Starr Award. That’s a big deal because it’s voted on by other NFL players and focuses on character and leadership.
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He’s deeply rooted in the community now through his foundation and projects like "23 and Troops." Even though he spent the first five and a half years of his career with the Carolina Panthers, it feels like he’s been a Niner forever.
A Quick Look at the Milestone Tracker:
- Most consecutive postseason games with a TD: He just tied Thurman Thomas with 9 straight games (including his two scores against the Eagles in the 2026 Wild Card round).
- The 1,000/1,000 Club: He nearly joined this elite group again in 2025, falling just short on the receiving side.
- Versatility: He remains the only RB in history with four different seasons of 5+ receiving touchdowns.
What’s Next for CMC?
As we head deeper into 2026, the focus for McCaffrey is going to be pure recovery. He turns 30 this June. In NFL years, that’s usually when the "cliff" happens for running backs. But McCaffrey isn't a traditional grinder. His game relies on elite route running and vision, things that usually age a bit better than raw, straight-line speed.
The 49ers' Super Bowl window is still open, but it's getting tighter. With Brock Purdy’s looming contract extension and the aging core of the defense, they need McCaffrey to be the "Superman" for at least another two years.
If you are looking to follow his progress or want to see if he can finally get that elusive Super Bowl ring, keep your eyes on the 49ers' training camp schedules this summer. He’ll likely be on a "pitch count" to keep him fresh for the 2026-27 season.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the Offseason Health Reports: Specifically, keep an eye on that shoulder stinger from the Seattle game; these can sometimes mask underlying nerve issues.
- Salary Cap Watch: Watch how the 49ers structure other deals; McCaffrey's $19 million cap hit is a significant chunk of their 2026 budget.
- Fantasy Value: Despite his age, his 100-reception floor (he had 102 in 2025) makes him a perennial top-3 pick in PPR formats regardless of the 49ers' overall record.