Remember how I mentioned, back in the Spring, that the San Francisco 49ers are the most misunderstood and misperceived organization in the NFL? Through six games this season, though, here’s what I understand about the 49ers; that Kyle Shanahan’s offense is still REALLY good. What I also understand is that it’s fair to ask this question; do the 49ers really need Christian McCaffrey this season?
What may be forgotten is that the 49ers were actually still a really good team before they traded for McCaffrey in October of 2022. Particularly on offense, the 49ers were were still second in scoring and fourth in yards per game in 2019. The 49ers won the NFC Championship with three different running backs rushing for over 500 yards, and the 49ers 144.1 rushing yards per game was second in the NFL behind only the Baltimore Ravens 206 rushing yards per game.
After a 2020 season marred by injuries, the 49ers returned to the NFC Championship in 2021 with an offense that ranked 13th in scoring and seventh in yards per game. Elijah Mitchell led the 49ers with 963 yards rushing, with Deebo Samuel in second with 365 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The 49ers were seventh in the NFL with 127.4 rushing yards per game.
In the 49ers first seven games in 2022, before McCaffrey arrived, they had four games with 100+ rushing yards. That’s still 120.7 rushing yards per game. Through six games this season, the 49ers are fourth in the NFL with 158 rushing yards per game. Not to mention, the 49ers are fifth in the NFL with 262 passing yards per game, second in the NFL with 420 yards per game and seventh in the NFL with 27 points per game. Those numbers seem pretty good to me.
I remember watching the 49ers offense before McCaffrey got to San Francisco, and those offenses could still spin defenses in circles. Kyle Shanahan is the second-best offensive play caller in the NFL, behind only Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and his offenses have always been the most sophisticated in the NFL. The way they utilize pre-snap motion and misdirection is incredible, and their offense is a well-orchestrated symphony when they are at their best.
This year, Brock Purdy led the NFL in yards per attempt. He’s also completing 65.4 percent of his passes and has thrown of 1,629 yards with nine touchdowns to just four interceptions. In addition, George Kittle is now tied for the NFL lead with five touchdowns, and Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings are each averaging over 15 yards per reception.
As for 49ers running back Jordan Mason, he leads the NFL with 609 rushing yards (Baltimore Ravens running back, who is only 37 yards behind, hasn’t played this week yet). He’s on pace for 1,725 rushing yards this season.
All of this suggests that the 49ers maybe don’t need McCaffrey this season. Would it be nice for the 49ers if they had him? Obviously. He’s one of the best running backs of this generation. But as we saw in the years leading up to his arrival in San Francisco, and as we’re seeing through six games this season, the 49ers are just fine without him.
The 49ers are starting to find their rhythm offensively. Brock Purdy hasn’t taken a step back at all, and the receivers are now healthy. Do the 49ers really need McCaffrey to rush back this season? Does McCaffrey really want to rush back from injury? He may be one of the best running backs, and players, in the NFL. But considering what the 49ers have done on offense so far this season, they look like they will be just fine if McCaffrey is out for an extended period of time, if not the rest of the season.