The San Francisco 49ers have seen a significant impact on their offense since acquiring running back Christian McCaffrey in 2022. McCaffrey, who was named Offensive Player of the Year in his first full season with the team, brings a dynamic threat as both a rusher and receiver, forcing defenses to adjust whenever he’s on the field. Despite his impressive performance, head coach Kyle Shanahan is looking to reduce McCaffrey’s workload, as he played in 81% of the team’s offensive snaps last season.
Shanahan recently expressed the need to protect McCaffrey from overexertion, acknowledging the running back’s reluctance to come out of the game regardless of the situation. The team has capable backups in Elijah Mitchell, who had a successful rookie season, and Jordan Mason, who has shown promise with his rushing ability. Additionally, rookie Isaac Guerendo adds speed and potential to the running back rotation.
While Shanahan acknowledges the depth at the running back position, he recognizes the challenge of reducing McCaffrey’s workload in practice. McCaffrey’s versatility as a route runner and receiver sets him apart, making it difficult to replicate his impact with other players. However, Shanahan sees the value in spreading the workload among multiple players to keep McCaffrey fresh and healthy throughout the season.
Despite the challenges, Shanahan remains committed to finding ways to lessen McCaffrey’s workload and distribute carries more evenly among the running backs. While McCaffrey has proven his ability to handle a heavy workload, Shanahan believes that sharing the rushing duties can benefit both McCaffrey and the team in the long run.