Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Clark: 49ers should trade Christian McCaffrey

Originally posted on 49ers Webzone | By David Bonilla | Last updated Mar 12, 2025 4:24 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers appear to be cleaning house, parting ways with expensive veterans and opting not to spend big to retain some key free agents. This strategy has already cost them several fan favorites, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

General manager John Lynch prefers to frame this offseason as a reset rather than a rebuild. However, with so much talent departing, fans are understandably concerned about the team's chances in the 2025 season.

If the 49ers are indeed rebuilding, ESPN's Ryan Clark believes the team should consider trading one of its biggest names—running back Christian McCaffrey.

"I would absolutely trade Christian McCaffrey, and I would try to get as much as I could possibly get for him," Clark said on ESPN's Get Up. "When you look at what [head coach] Kyle Shanahan has been able to do, it's run the football. And I know we thought last year they missed some of the things with the versatility of Christian McCaffrey, but when you trade Juszczyk, you let some of that versatility go. You let some of the things you can do formationally go.

"And so, why not change your entire philosophy from thinking about Christian McCaffrey as the Swiss Army knife, getting pieces for him, and allowing guys like [WR] Ricky Pearsall to touch the football more, with running the football, and doing different things on quick screens, adding other players based on the assets that you can get for him."

"I would absolutely trade Christian McCaffrey. ... If you're going to rebuild, rebuild completely."
—@Realrclark25 on the 49ers' offseason outlook pic.twitter.com/Zu3vZaEMrY
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 12, 2025

Lynch stated last month at the NFL Scouting Combine that the 49ers aim to get younger this offseason. However, staying healthy may be the key to success in 2025. Last season, the roster was decimated by injuries, including McCaffrey, who missed the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis.

Then, in his fourth game back, he suffered a PCL injury that ended his season. He finished with just 348 scrimmage yards and no touchdowns.

"Also, understanding you're looking for more available players than Christian McCaffrey was last year," Clark continued. "You had a good stretch with him. You took your run at the Super Bowl. You didn't get it. If you're going to rebuild, rebuild completely."

Despite the speculation, McCaffrey seemingly remains a key part of the 49ers' plans. Last month, when asked about the running back's offseason recovery, Lynch said, "He's doing great. Christian's doing really well, and I think [he] was real frustrated with the way last season went, and doing everything that is possible, as he did in preparation for last year. And we're hoping CMC's out there and going to have a tremendous year."

Lynch added, "If he's healthy, he will have a tremendous year. That's just what he does."

This article first appeared on 49ers Webzone and was syndicated with permission.

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