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Christian McCaffrey Reacts After Former Teammate Announces Retirement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 5:59 AM ET

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025. He played all 17 games in the regular season for the Niners, registering 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries. The four-time first-team All-Pro RB also added 924 yards and seven receiving TDs on 102 catches.

Thanks to his strong play, McCaffrey was named as one of the five finalists for the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

This was McCaffrey’s third full season with the 49ers. He joined the team in October 2022 via a mid-season trade with the Carolina Panthers. San Francisco gave up multiple draft picks in exchange for McCaffrey.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffreyJoe Nicholson-Imagn Images

One of the players McCaffrey had the privilege of playing alongside in Carolina was center Bradley Bozeman. They crossed paths during the 2022 season after Bozeman signed with the team in free agency. McCaffrey and Bozeman’s time together was short-lived, though, with the former taking his talents to the Bay Area in the middle of Bozeman’s first season in Carolina.

On Monday, Bozeman announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons. The 31-year-old took to Instagram to share his decision.

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McCaffrey caught wind of the news and sent his ex-teammate a message.

“Honor to play with you bro! Congrats on a hell of a career,” McCaffrey wrote.

Their time as teammates may have been brief, but it is clear that McCaffrey holds Bozeman in very high regard.

Bozeman started his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens as a sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. After four seasons in Baltimore, he suited up for the Panthers for two years. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout spent the final two seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bozeman played 129 games throughout his NFL tenure, starting 110 of them.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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