Christian McCaffrey gives new meaning to doing it all for 49ers

Against the Los Angeles Rams, Christian McCaffrey was the engine that did it all for the 49ers, scoring three different ways in victory. 

When the San Francisco 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers, they sought a proven commodity for their backfield. They got something better, a man that could indeed do it all.

Against the Los Angeles Rams, McCaffrey was responsible for three touchdowns, which on the surface doesn’t shock anyone, but how he got all three is a marvel. McCaffrey ran for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, and threw one on a trick play to Brandon Aiyuk.

This makes McCaffrey the first player to record a touchdown pass, rushing touchdown, and touchdown reception in the same game since Hall of Famer Ladanian Tomlinson did it in 2005.

Christian McCaffrey redefined versatility for the 49ers in their win over the defending champion Rams

The cost to acquire Christian McCaffrey was steep. Three high draft picks in 2023 and a fifth in 2024, and many believe the Panthers got the better haul due to the amount of capital acquired. In the future, it may turn out to be the right choice. At the same time, the 49ers felt they got a valuable commodity in return.

At 26 years of age, McCaffrey has yet to hit his prime fully, and the 49ers’ system is suitable for utilizing running backs over a long period and giving a fair amount of rest to each player that runs the ball. Running backs coach Bobby Turner and head coach Kyle Shanahan believe in having multiple ball carriers who can take one cut and go to keep the running back room fresh.

Christian McCaffrey did his job, and the 49ers avenged their NFC Championship game loss. Being a key cognisant in the win is a bonus, and joining history in the process certainly doesn’t hurt either.