Christian McCaffrey is heading back to the Bay Area.
Per Adam Schefter, the Carolina Panthers agreed to trade their former All-Pro running back to the San Francisco 49ers. He played his college ball at nearby Stanford.
Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford. pic.twitter.com/R474r3eSkv
There was speculation after Matt Rhule's firing that a fire sale could happen in Carolina, and after a trade earlier this week that sent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals, another NFC West team dropped in and netted an even bigger fish.
Trade comp: 49ers are sending second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024 in exchange for RB Christian McCaffrey, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
As for the 49ers, this move makes them the favorite in the NFC West and has the potential to make them the biggest threat to come out of the NFC. They have an elite defense and adding a healthy McCaffrey to Kyle Shanahan's run-friendly offense could put them over the top. The defense is first in the NFL in yards allowed at just 255.8 per game and second in points at 14.8.
The offense is 19th in the league in points scored per game at 20.3. McCaffrey has 85 carries for 393 yards and two touchdowns. As a receiver, he has 33 catches for 277 yards and one touchdown. It's going to be interesting to see the ways Shanahan utilizes McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel together. The possibilities are endless.
Time will tell if the 49ers made the right move in trading for McCaffrey. But it certainly looks like they struck gold.
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