Christian McCaffrey makes bold statement about trade to 49ers

Star running back Christian McCaffrey is singing a happier tune about being traded from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers last fall.

"In hindsight, I firmly believe it’s the best thing that ever happened to me," McCaffrey said about the transaction during a recent event, as shared by Cam Inman of the Mercury News. 

McCaffrey made it known last October he was prepared to give his all to the Panthers despite the constant trade rumors hovering over hm at the time. Carolina ultimately embraced a rebuild following the firing of head coach Matt Rhule and shipped McCaffrey to San Francisco, and the 26-year-old noted shortly after the trade that he took it "personally"  because he viewed it as the Panthers getting "rid" of him. 

McCaffrey and the 49ers came within a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game away from playing in Super Bowl LVII, but the two-time Pro Bowl selection nevertheless admitted in March that his first emotion after the trade was "probably anger." 

McCaffrey recalled how meeting with 49ers legend and Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice ahead of his first game with San Francisco helped him cherish what he has with his current football home. 

"I say this with the utmost respect, this is a family," McCaffrey added about the 49ers. "It’s the first time I felt like, even alumni, just getting to know these guys, it’s special, it’s different, and there’s a reason it’s sustainable and has been for so long. The word I would use now is, just very proud to be a part of this organization." 

The 49ers have more questions than answers at the quarterback position as 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy recovers from the surgery he had on March 10 to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. That reality likely makes McCaffrey the offense's most important player and most valuable weapon until further notice.