Since Roger Craig played his final game with the San Francisco 49ers in 1990, the franchise has struggled to find a running back who mirrors his remarkable dual-threat capabilities. However, the 49ers’ acquisition of star running back Christian McCaffrey in 2022 may signal a breakthrough in this regard.
Craig is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026, with the announcement set to be made Thursday during the NFL Honors show. In a recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco at Radio Row, McCaffrey expressed strong support for Craig, calling him “extremely deserving” of this prestigious recognition.
McCaffrey described Craig as a pioneer in the NFL, noting his historic achievement of becoming the first player to record both 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season during the 1985 season. McCaffrey himself reached this milestone with the Carolina Panthers in 2019, making him one of only three players, along with Marshall Faulk, to do so.
“Thinking about Roger Craig, I see him as someone who set the standard for guys like myself,” McCaffrey reflected. “He may not have been a typical 245-pound back, but his versatility and hard work paved the way for smaller backs like me to thrive in the game.”
Historically, running backs were primarily built for hard-nosed running between the tackles, gaining modest yardage. Craig helped transform this perception, demonstrating how athleticism could expand the role of a running back to not only rush but also excel in the passing game, which was a significant shift initiated by the innovative offensive strategies of 49ers coach Bill Walsh.
During his groundbreaking 1985 season, Craig led the league with 92 receptions, setting a franchise record for the most catches by a running back, a record that was eventually surpassed by McCaffrey’s 102 receptions in the 2025 NFL season.
Expressing his admiration, McCaffrey said, “I have a lot of gratitude for him, and I think he’s absolutely deserving of having a gold jacket as somebody who changed the game.” The mutual respect between these two outstanding players highlights the lasting legacy of Craig’s contributions to the sport and sets a hopeful precedent for the future of running backs in the NFL.