Latest news with #ChristianMcCaffrey
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Running Back Room Clears Top 15 in Recent Rankings
49ers Running Back Room Clears Top 15 in Recent Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers are hoping for a resurgent season in 2025 from running back Christian McCaffrey. What the 49ers need is the 2023 version of McCaffrey, who led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and added 14 rushing touchdowns. He caught 67 passes for 564 yards with another seven touchdown catches. Advertisement Expectations are sometimes different from reality, especially when McCaffrey is recovering from two separate injuries that sidelined him for 13 games last season. But regardless of McCaffrey's recent injury history, the San Francisco backfield is ranked No. 12 in ProFootballFocus' recent grades. "The 49ers are one of the hardest teams to project for this list, given Christian McCaffrey's recent injury history," wrote PFF's Dalton Wasserman. "Across 2022 and 2023, he was the NFL's highest-graded running back. His injuries in 2024 limited him to just 167 snaps and a 71.3 PFF overall grade. McCaffrey is supremely talented, but he enters his age-29 season with more questions than ever. "Isaac Guerendo did a decent job in spot duty last season, earning a 67.2 PFF rushing grade. The team also added fifth-round rookie Jordan James, who recorded an elite 95.7 PFF rushing grade over the past two seasons at Oregon." Advertisement Don't expect McCaffrey to be reintroduced to the offense slowly; however, that is the custom sometimes when players return from injury. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak thinks McCaffrey will be fine if the team is smart with his usage. "You're always cognizant of the reps you're putting on guys, especially in practice, when we do that with Christian all the time, we monitor his reps, and you have to be smart when you're in games," Kubiak continued. "You have to be cognizant of how much they're out there. Related: Analyst Concerned for Christian McCaffrey 'Workload' for 49ers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Saquon Barkley Resets the Running Back Blueprint
Eagles' Saquon Barkley Resets the Running Back Blueprint originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After the confetti settled from Super Bowl LIX, Saquon Barkley faced a crossroads that has claimed countless running backs throughout NFL history. The numbers were staggering: 345 regular-season carries, 91 more in the playoffs, and 482 total touches — a workload that put him squarely in the danger zone where elite backs traditionally begin their decline. Advertisement But Barkley isn't approaching 2025 like a traditional running back. And that might be exactly what separates him from the cautionary tales of the past. The data surrounding high-workload running backs is sobering. Research shows that players with 370 to 389 carries averaged a 27 percent drop in total yards and a 10 percent drop in yards per carry the following season. Even more alarming, all players with 390 or more carries averaged a 33 percent drop in total yards and an 11 percent drop in yards per carry. For context, Barkley's 436 total carries, including playoffs, place him well above these danger thresholds. Recent examples are everywhere. Todd Gurley's effectiveness plummeted from 5.8 to 4.2 yards per touch after his 348 total touches in 2018. Christian McCaffrey's 403 touches in 2019 preceded two injury-riddled seasons. Even LaDainian Tomlinson saw his dominance fade at age 27, going from 'maybe the best ever' to merely solid in just two seasons after his historic workload. But Barkley isn't following the traditional playbook. Where past running backs might have tried to muscle through with intense offseason regimens, Barkley assembled a brain trust that included head coach Nick Sirianni, running backs coach Jemal Singleton, and Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James. Their message was unanimous and blunt. Advertisement 'It wasn't hard because everyone I trust told me basically to sit my ass down for a little bit,' Barkley said. 'You've just got to be smarter, right? You have your moments where you go in there and you grind, you push it, but the majority of those days is just mobility, conditioning, doing all the things to get your body in shape to perform at a high level. It was a lot of workload, but my body feels great, so that's the most important thing.' This represents a fundamental shift from Barkley's typical competitive nature. He never took it easy during the 2024 season, earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors and helping carry the Eagles to a Super Bowl title. But his approach to the offseason has been different. This isn't just about rest—it's about strategic recovery. The focus on mobility and conditioning over pure strength training represents cutting-edge thinking in sports science. Rather than trying to add more muscle or power, Barkley is prioritizing the systems that will help him maintain his explosiveness and avoid the breakdown that typically follows high-carry seasons. Remarkably, last season's massive workload didn't diminish Barkley's efficiency. He set a career-best 5.8 yards per carry and a career-high 52.5 percent rushing success rate. This efficiency, combined with smart recovery, could be the key to bucking historical trends. Advertisement Several factors suggest Barkley might successfully defy the high-carry curse. At 28, he says he feels like he's 'entering my prime' as he heads into his eighth NFL season. That would run counter to what we've seen from other backs over the years, but Barkley is coming off an uncommon season. Despite unprecedented mileage in 2024, he says his body feels great with no lasting effects. Unlike backs who faced high-carry seasons behind struggling offenses, Barkley benefits from the Eagles' elite infrastructure. His rushing average jumped from 3.9 yards per carry in his final Giants season to 5.8 with Philadelphia, proving he's harder to tackle with an elite offensive line and dangerous passing game. Perhaps most importantly, Barkley isn't approaching 2025 with desperation. 'The beauty of it is you have an opportunity to do it again,' he explained. 'That's what the mindset kind of shifts to is learn from it, and even though you had a great year, there are so many plays and so many things I can continue to improve on.' What separates Barkley is his long-term vision. 'The thing that drives me is the same thing that has been driving me since I was a little kid,' he said. 'I want to be the best running back to ever play, or at least one of the best running backs to ever play.' Advertisement Rather than trying to replicate 2024's historic numbers, Barkley is focused on sustainable excellence. 'I didn't go into last year with the mindset of rushing for 2,000 yards,' he said. 'I just try to focus on the little things first, and everything else will take care of itself.' The Eagles organization fully supports Barkley's modified approach, with individualized training regimens for each player. All signs point toward another high-volume campaign in 2025, but the challenge will be balancing preservation with maintaining offensive efficiency. History suggests running backs who carry the ball 345-plus times face inevitable decline. But Barkley isn't just any running back. His revolutionary training approach, combined with superior organizational support and a championship-caliber system, positions him to potentially rewrite the narrative about running back longevity. Advertisement 'It was a lot of workload [last year], but my body feels great, so that's the most important thing,' Barkley said. The statistical curse of high carries is real, but Barkley's mindset and methodology suggest he's planning to shatter it entirely. Related: Eagles Defense Called 'Miles Ahead' of Last Year's Top Unit Related: Why Kevin Patullo Isn't Doomed to Repeat Eagles' 2023 Offensive Collapse This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Receiving Corps Ranked Top-5 Despite Concerns
49ers Receiving Corps Ranked Top-5 Despite Concerns originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The San Francisco 49ers took an unexpected cliff dive in 2024 with a 6-11 record, but there remains optimism that 2025 could see them climb back. Advertisement Kyle Shanahan's offense returns nearly all major contributors (something the defense can't relate to), with the biggest return being running back Christian McCaffrey after his injury-plagued season. McCaffrey, when healthy, is among the best pass-catching running backs in NFL history. Even without him and star receiver Brandon Aiyuk (ACL injury in Week 7) for most of the season, the Niners finished with the fourth-best passing attack at 249.1 yards per game. Franchise quarterback Brock Purdy saw a dip statistically, but still managed to work with what he had to hit this mark - and he was rewarded financially for it this offseason. So amid the recovery of Aiyuk, the departure of Deebo Samuel in a trade, and the potential hesitation around McCaffrey's reassertion, how will this passing attack look in 2025? Advertisement Pro Football Focus believes it's still among the elite groups in the NFL, slotting in at fifth in their receiving corps rankings. "The 49ers' receiving corps is an unknown," writes Trevor Sikkema. "But the fact of the matter is, McCaffrey has earned 84.0-plus PFF receiving grades in six of his eight seasons, including the last one in which he was fully healthy (2023), and Aiyuk was one of the highest graded receivers in the league (91.7) in 2023." McCaffrey is poised to be ready Week 1, having been reported looking healthy and explosive in offseason workouts so far. Shanahan may put a lot of pressure on those legs to stay healthy with the amount of workload McCaffrey could command, especially in the pass game. Aiyuk will miss a large chunk of the beginning of the season, playing into that unknown factor. Jauan Jennings turned into a solid option last season, which is a sign of promising potential. Ricky Pearsall, last year's first-round pick, will need to take a step forward with last season's adversity now behind him. Advertisement Star tight end George Kittle shined in Aiyuk's absence last season, and San Francisco can't afford to see him miss a beat. He'll turn 32 in October, so each season hereon out could raise questions about his regression. For now, he's still a top-3 tight end in the league. He posted the second-highest PFF receiving grade (92.6) at the position in 2024. The 49ers have depth and variety in the pass game, so while they may not be fully healthy, they receive the benefit of the doubt and still rank high among the NFL's best receiving corps. Related: 49ers' George Kittle Proclaims Offense Needs to Play at a 'Really High Level' in 2025 Related: John Lynch Gives Brutally Honest Assessment Of Niners Offseason This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks have lowest odds to win NFC West in 2025
Seahawks have lowest odds to win NFC West in 2025 The NFC West division was competitive throughout the 2024 season. The Seattle Seahawks finished 10-7, matching the Los Angeles Rams' record. The Rams won the division on the tiebreaker, and the Seahawks missed the postseason altogether. The division promises to be incredibly unpredictable in 2025. The Rams hope to repeat as champions, and the Seahawks underwent sweeping offseason changes in hope of capturing improvement. The Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers also believe they're better-positioned to compete. Pro Football Focus recently released their way-too-early odds for each division winner. Somewhat surprisingly, the 49ers own the best odds at +165. The Rams are a close second at +175. The Cardinals are +410, and the Seahawks rank dead last at +550. "The NFC West projects as one of the closest divisional races in the NFL in 2025," Mason Cameron wrote. "The 49ers currently lead the pack, with expectations that a defense-heavy draft and Christian McCaffrey's return will right the ship after a six-win campaign last season. Going from worst to first seems a bit rich in this market, though. Even with their roster improvements, the 49ers have a lot riding on key playmakers returning to form in McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, following tough injuries." "The Cardinals and Seahawks are both promising squads heading into 2024," Cameron continued. "While Seattle still has questions to answer after a massive roster overhaul, Arizona profiles as a solid value here, given its aggressive additions on defense this offseason. Even still, will it be enough to overtake the Rams in the race for the division crown?" The Seahawks are hoping a change in philosophical approach will lead to more consistent results in 2025. For now, analysts are in a holding pattern when projecting the Seahawks' upcoming season. They'll have to prove their standing as legit competitors in the NFC West.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
49ers' Christian McCaffrey Delivers Strong Update on His Comeback Path
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for what they hope will be a major bounce-back season in 2025. After missing the playoffs last season following a Super Bowl appearance the year before, there are reasons for optimism. Last season, the 49ers dealt with major injury issues. One of the biggest was only having star running back Christian McCaffrey for four games. At the beginning of the year, McCaffrey was dealing with Achilles issues. He then suffered a knee injury after making his return to the field. Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on October 01, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. Photo byIt was a depressing season for the 29-year-old running back. He's hoping to come back strong in 2025 and get his career back on track. Read more: Vikings' JJ McCarthy Just Got a Big Update From NFL Insider McCaffrey has now spoken out with a bold message about his recovery and what has been a big help for him on his path back to the gridiron. "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." Clearly, the superstar running back has approached his offseason the right way. He seems rejuvenated and ready to get back to dominating opposing defenses. Back in the 2023 NFL season, McCaffrey put together a massive season. He carried the football 272 times for 1,459 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. In addition, he caught 67 passes for 564 yards and seven more touchdowns. Not only will McCaffrey getting back to full health be good for San Francisco, it will also help franchise quarterback Brock Purdy. He also had a down year in 2024 with opposing defenses being able to key in on the passing game. Read more: Ravens' Lamar Jackson Called Out by Former NFL Player in Blunt Message These comments should excite the 49ers' fan base. McCaffrey is in good health, both physically and mentally. He is clearly excited to get the season underway. Hopefully, he will be able to stay healthy throughout the entirety of the 2025 season. If he can, San Francisco could be a team to watch once again in the NFC. Only time will tell, but the 49ers seem to be trending in the right direction with McCaffrey's new status update. For more San Francisco 49ers and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
