Christian McCaffrey hopes longer offseason leads to better health in 2025 for 49ers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The biggest beneficiary of an extended offseason for the San Francisco 49ers just might have been star running back Christian McCaffrey.
A year after he was limited to just four games because of injuries to his Achilles tendon and knee, the engine of San Francisco's high-powered offense was on the practice field for the offseason program and is hoping to get back to the form that made him Offensive Player of the Year during a run to the Super Bowl in the 2023 season.
A healthy McCaffrey would be a key component for San Francisco to rebound from a 6-11 season that at least provided a side benefit of more time off in the winter following three straight years of long playoff runs.
'Being fully transparent, obviously last year didn't go the way I wanted,' McCaffrey said. 'It didn't go the way anyone wanted. But having this time off has allowed me to start from scratch and have the time where I can build a base again, come into OTAs, play football and now get back into it mentally, emotionally, physically in all ways. It was much needed and I'm happy we had it."
McCaffrey plans to spend the long break before training camp starts in late July staying in shape and becoming a father. McCaffrey and his wife, model Olivia Culpo, are expecting their first child 'right around the corner.'
McCaffrey looked fresh during the offseason program after sitting it out last year as he recovered from a grueling season and waited for a new contract that came last June.
McCaffrey had 798 touches from scrimmage in 2023-24 in the regular season and playoffs — more than 100 more than any other player in the league during that span.
That workload likely contributed to the Achilles tendinitis that sidelined McCaffrey early in training camp last season and forced him to miss the first eight games of the season.
He then injured his posterior cruciate ligament in his fourth game back and missed the final five games of the season.
With McCaffrey on the sideline, an offense that was the most dangerous in the league following his arrival midway through the 2022 season took a step back last season as the Niners struggled overall.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said he is aware that he needs to manage McCaffrey's workload this summer in order 'to protect him from himself' and make sure he's healthy and fresh when the games count.
'He is a psycho in a good way and so like he does everything imaginable every single day,' Shanahan said. "Last year he couldn't because he was battling injury all last year. And this year he is healthy so he is right back to being who he is always been and it's really fun to watch.'
McCaffrey, who turned 29 earlier this month, said the key as he ages is finding the 'middle ground' of doing the intense work to get ready for a season and making sure he doesn't wear down early.
But once he's on the field, he knows only one speed.
'My job is to put my body in the best position it can to go out there and be me," he said. "There's a lot of noise and sometimes there's a lot of things going on. My job is to go 100% every play and continue to get better. I just try to focus on that.'
/NFL
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Tom Brady shocks everyone by laughing at Bill Belichick's private moment with Jordon Hudson caught on doorbell
Tom Brady shocks everyone by laughing at Bill Belichick's private moment with Jordon Hudson caught on doorbell (Image via Getty) Retired quarterback Tom Brady made a surprising comment during a Netflix roast in May 2024. He talked about his favorite 'Ring'—not a Super Bowl ring, but a Ring doorbell. People paused. How could a Ring camera beat seven championship rings? The answer lies in a late‑night moment. A camera captured legendary coach Bill Belichick sneaking out of a home at 6 a.m. That clip went viral fast. Tom Brady laughed and praised Bill Belichick. Now fans everywhere are talking. What really happened and why did Tom Brady choose that moment as his favorite? Tom Brady praises Bill Belichick caught on ring footage At The Greatest Roast of All Time in May 2024, Tom Brady, 46, joked on Netflix about the famous Ring camera video. He said his favorite 'Ring' was the one that recorded Bill Belichick leaving Jordon Hudson's home at 6 a.m. in November 2023. Tom Brady said, 'Hey you still got it Bill respect baby.' His words echoed around social media and news wasn't a serious jab. Instead, it sounded like playful respect from Tom Brady to his former coach, calling him 'metis' at that moment. Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson ring camera story explained In November 2023, a Ring doorbell camera outside a Massachusetts Airbnb filmed shirtless Bill Belichick, 72, leaving the home early in the morning. It shocked people nationwide. That house belonged to his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, a former college cheerleader aged 24. Soon after, podcaster Pablo Torre investigated. He tracked Airbnb, rented it, and even found a second Ring video of Bill Belichick carrying a satchel and water bottle. Pablo Torre talked with the homeowners. They said they first thought his companion might be 'a dancer or an escort' because she told them she danced, and the age gap raised eyebrows. Their findings confirmed the clip dated from November 2023. The novel video, the age difference between Bill Belichick and Jordan Hudson, and the odd early‑morning exit sparked intense online attention. The mix of privacy, curiosity, and humor turned the Ring video into a cultural moment. That is why Tom Brady singled it out as his favorite 'Ring.' Also Read: Tom Brady Remembers Being Bypassed Before Going On To Become NFL Icon At Hall Of Excellence Ceremony Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
How Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees' career-ending injury left his throwing arm permanently damaged
This one hurts and not just for Saints fans. Drew Brees, one of the greatest quarterbacks in history, recently resurfaced in headlines after an old interview clip went viral again. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In it, he admitted that his right arm, the one that threw for 80,000+ yards and 571 touchdowns 'doesn't work anymore. ' Yeah, read that again. It turns out the damage from that brutal 2005 shoulder injury never really healed the way we thought. And now, Brees says that when he's just casually tossing the ball in his backyard, he has to throw left-handed. It's heartbreaking, and fans are only now realizing how much that man gave to the game. Drew Brees says his 2005 injury left him with a degenerative shoulder that ended his arm for good Let's rewind for context. Back in 2005, Brees suffered a nasty shoulder injury with the Chargers, a complete 360-degree labrum tear and a partial rotator cuff tear. Doctors weren't sure if he'd ever play again. But Brees shocked the world with a comeback that led him to New Orleans and to football immortality. Fast forward to a 2023 interview on ESPN Radio, and Brees opened up about what that injury did long-term. He said: 'I don't throw with my right arm anymore. My right arm does not work. So, when I throw in the backyard right now, I throw left-handed.' He added that the shoulder has developed arthritic changes and has degenerative issues that forced him to call it quits even though mentally, he felt he had more football left. Fans are calling it 'heartbreaking,' 'gutting,' and 'a reminder of what players sacrifice.' Others are pointing out that this is exactly why Brees retired when he did not because he was done mentally, but because his body simply gave out. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The man gave everything to the game and the damage was permanent Brees may have walked away with a Super Bowl ring and a Hall of Fame legacy, but he also walked away with a right arm that's no longer functional. That's the trade-off. And now that fans are hearing it directly from him again, it's hitting differently. It's easy to forget what NFL players put their bodies through until someone like Drew Brees casually reminds us that he can't even play catch with his kids using the arm that made him a legend. This isn't just a football story. It's a reminder of the toll greatness takes. Also read -
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Tom Brady's latest take on basketball greatness could change how fans see LeBron James vs Michael Jordan battle
(Image Source - Getty Images) When the NFL's all‑time great speaks on basketball legends, jaws drop. At Fanatics Fest in New York this June 2025, Tom Brady didn't mince words—he tipped the hat to LeBron James in the age‑old GOAT debate against Michael Jordan . With seven Super Bowl wins and 23 seasons to his name, Brady's voice carries weight. And that single endorsement—backing LeBron's unmatched longevity and resilience—has reignited the conversation in a way stats alone never could. How Brady's GOAT endorsement shook up the Michael Jordan vs LeBron James debate Tom Brady's decision to pick LeBron James over Michael Jordan at the Fanatics event instantly grabbed headlines. He explained his choice by noting LeBron's ability to 'rise above all the noise and the BS and continued to deliver' — calling him 'the greatest ever'. Coming from a quarterback renowned for enduring elite excellence over two decades—and seizing seven Super Bowl rings—Brady's reasoning leans into a shared respect for sustained supremacy. Jordan has six NBA championships, five MVPs, and a flawless Finals record, whereas LeBron's achievements include four titles, four MVPs, and being the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Brady didn't focus on legacy points; instead, he was there to see greatness happen live—something he knows well as the NFL's greatest of all time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doctors Beg: Take These 4 Ingredients Before Bed to Burn Fat [Try Now] Hollywood Today | Health Learn More Undo Rather than focusing on the Jordan vs LeBron debate as a quest for flawless legacies, Brady reinterprets it by highlighting consistency and present-day impact. His viewpoint indicates that greatness isn't just a thing of the past—it's something that continues to grow, and LeBron's lasting dominance serves as undeniable proof. When a seven-time Super Bowl winner with a record-setting NFL career speaks up, athletes and fans alike listen closely. Brady's acknowledgment gives LeBron a new sense of validation—not only from analysts or reporters, but from a fellow athlete whose level of excellence is unmatched. It's a mutual respect that goes beyond numbers and reignites conversations in both the football and basketball arenas. Also Read: NBA icon Stephen Curry pens a welcome note for Underrated Golf Tour family ahead of Season 4 Whether you're a fan of Michael Jordan's perfect Finals record or LeBron's influential time, this compelling endorsement guarantees the debate continues—and grows. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
