How Christian McCaffrey bounced back with MVP-like season

""This was one of the hardest years of my life," McCaffrey said. "Everything that happened to me last year ... I kind of had to overcome a lot of odds." In a season in which 49ers stars fell from the sky with alarming frequency, it was McCaffrey who remained in the center of it all. Quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle, defensive end Nick Bosa, receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Fred Warner and left tackle Trent Williams all missed at least one game because of injury."

"Not McCaffrey. Coming off an injury-plagued 2024 in which bilateral Achilles tendinitis cost him the first eight games and a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee prevented him from playing in the final five contests, he started all 19 games. For running backs rapidly approaching 30, playing every game, let alone a return to All-Pro form is often out of reach. All of which made what McCaffrey did for the Niners in 2025 even more impressive. And necessary."

"Despite entering every game as San Francisco's primary option, McCaffrey finished second in the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,126), third in scrimmage touchdowns (17) and first in touches (413). He fell 76 receiving yards short of a second career season with at least 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards. That production made McCaffrey, 29, a finalist for the league's Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year awards."

Christian McCaffrey experienced one of the hardest years of his life and had to overcome numerous odds. Multiple San Francisco 49ers stars missed games with injuries, but McCaffrey remained available and started all 19 games. He returned from a 2024 season that included bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a posterior cruciate ligament injury. McCaffrey finished with 2,126 scrimmage yards, 17 scrimmage touchdowns, and led the league with 413 touches. He fell 76 receiving yards short of a 1,000/1,000 rushing and receiving season. McCaffrey became a finalist for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year.

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