San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey - Ben Warden/San Francisco 49ers
Some big news came out of the NFL as Christian McCaffrey has signed an extension with the San Francisco 49ers. The deal comes just a couple of weeks after the start of OTAs where the running back was not in attendance. Here is a look at the extension for the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, and what is next for McCaffrey and the 49ers.
Christian McCaffrey’s Deal
Adam Schefter reported the new deal on X, formally Twitter, as a two-year extension. The new contract averages $19 million per year and an additional $8 million over what he was scheduled to make in the first two years. The extension also adds $24 million of guarantees. Before this contract extension, McCaffrey was set to have no more guaranteed money in his previous deal. Luckily for the team, they were able to get this figured out quickly. McCaffrey’s extension makes him a San Francisco 49ers through 2027.
The star running back will be 31 by the final season of this new contract. He was originally set to make about $12 million in the next two seasons. Now, that number will reach closer to $16 million for the next two years, and $19 million for the final two, according to David Lombardi.
Impact of Extension for Christian McCaffrey?
This extension will hit the 49ers further down the line, but help them in cap space for 2024, as well as the next couple of years. The new deal will lower McCaffrey’s 2024 salary-cap hit, which helps them now. According to David Lombardi, his cap hit will go from $14.1 million to $6.7 million this year.
The 49ers now have over $32 million in cap space for 2024. The benefit of this? They still have to extend wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason. They also will need the amount to carry over into next year, when San Francisco will look to extend quarterback Brock Purdy. This contract will not hurt the 49ers until the 2027 season when it will cost them $27.5 million in cap space. That will be an issue for later down the road though, as who knows what will happen in a couple of years.
McCaffrey and the 49ers
During the 2022 NFL season, the 49ers made the trade for McCaffrey. The 49ers traded second, third, fourth, and fifth round picks to the Carolina Panthers for the star running back. Some were skeptical of the trade due to the money spent on a running back, but so far it has been well worth it. In two years with the 49ers, McCaffrey has rushed the ball for 2,205 yards, and 20 touchdowns, according to Sports Reference. He has also had 1,028 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. In his not even two full seasons with San Francisco, the team has made the NFC Championship Game twice and the Super Bowl once. In 2023, McCaffrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year. Perhaps he can achieve this two years in a row.
Following the announcement of the new extension, McCaffrey spoke to the media. The full video of McCaffrey speaking is on YouTube. While speaking to the media, McCaffrey spoke about what his contract means. Running back contracts have been a big topic of conversation within the last two years. McCaffrey spoke on his new contract and how this could help others in the position. “Running back has been undervalued for some time now. Hopefully, this is a step in the right direction.”
What’s Next for the 49ers?
Now McCaffrey has two more years than originally scheduled with the team to continue to chase the Lombardi Trophy. While dealing with the Super Bowl loss is tough, the players and coaches on the team continue to make it clear the focus is now on 2024. The 2024 NFL season for the 49ers will kick off Monday, September 9th during Monday Night Football against the New York Jets.
Until then, the 49ers fans will be awaiting another contract extension, this time with Aiyuk. Aiyuk is currently not attending the Mandatory Mini-Camp as he awaits his new contract. Perhaps this cleared cap space can assist with that, as they also need to budget for the 2025 season.
