As the San Francisco 49ers continue their season, it’s worth reconsidering the impact of Christian McCaffrey on the team’s success. Through the first six games, it has become clear that Kyle Shanahan’s offense remains strong and effective. This raises a pertinent question: Do the 49ers truly need McCaffrey this season?
Before trading for McCaffrey in October 2022, the 49ers were already a formidable team. In 2019, they were a top offensive squad, ranking second in scoring and fourth in total yards per game, even winning the NFC Championship with three running backs each surpassing 500 rushing yards. That year, they averaged 144.1 rushing yards per game, second in the NFL only to the Ravens.
Despite struggles with injuries in 2020, the 49ers returned to the NFC Championship in 2021, with their offense ranking 13th in scoring and seventh in total yards. Running back Elijah Mitchell led the team with 963 rushing yards, while Deebo Samuel contributed significantly as well. They finished the season with an average of 127.4 rushing yards per game, solidifying their ground game.
In the first seven games of the 2022 season prior to McCaffrey’s arrival, the 49ers recorded four games with over 100 rushing yards, averaging 120.7 rushing yards per game. So far this season, the 49ers are fourth in the NFL, averaging 158 rushing yards per game, and they rank fifth in passing yards with 262 yards per game. Additionally, they boast an average of 420 total yards and 27 points per game, highlighting their offensive prowess.
The 49ers’ offense before McCaffrey showcased their ability to confuse defenses, bolstered by Shanahan’s tactical brilliance. His innovative use of pre-snap motions and misdirection has made the 49ers’ offense one of the most sophisticated in the league.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has excelled this season, leading the NFL in yards per attempt, completing 65.4% of his passes, and racking up 1,629 yards with nine touchdowns against four interceptions. Meanwhile, tight end George Kittle has tied for the NFL lead with five touchdowns, and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and Jauan Jennings are each averaging over 15 yards per reception.
Jordan Mason, the 49ers’ running back, is currently leading the NFL with 609 rushing yards, closely followed by Baltimore’s running back, who is 37 yards behind but has yet to play this week. Mason is on track for an impressive 1,725 rushing yards this season.
All these indicators suggest that while having McCaffrey would be beneficial, the 49ers’ offensive performance demonstrates they can thrive without him. The team is settling into a rhythm, and with a healthy roster, the question remains: Does McCaffrey need to rush back from injury? While he is undoubtedly one of the elite running backs in the game, the 49ers appear well-equipped to continue their success without him for an extended period, if necessary.