Simply Christian McCaffrey has taken over the NFL. He’s currently first in the league in scrimmage yards over the first 11 weeks of the 2025 season. His impressive performance has made him a central figure in discussions about the value of running backs in modern football. A rare blend of athletic ability, football intelligence, and unrelenting effort. That explosive combination is what makes his success as a complete, three-down running back nearly foreseen.
McCaffrey has passed the 100 scrimmage yards mark in nine out of 11 games this year. He continues to prove his versatility as he’s the only player in the NFL with at least 700 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards to date. As it stands now, he ranks second in total touchdowns to put an exclamation point on his game-breaking prowess. His approach to the game reflects a deep understanding of various aspects of football, allowing him to excel in multiple roles.
From a young age, McCaffrey chose to embrace the running back position, driven by a desire to score touchdowns in peewee leagues where passing was infrequent. Of course, that early decision snowballed into a career filled with remarkable achievements and awards. The guidance of his father, Ed McCaffrey, a three-time Super Bowl winner in his own right, has had an undeniable impact on his journey. Ed became a great champion for Christian and not only coached him, but mentored his siblings, Dylan and Luke. He developed a killer instinct in all of them while sharpening their basketball IQ.
When it comes to studying for the game, you’ll find no one more organized and focused than Christian McCaffrey and his notetaking skills.
“But I’m like a glorified notetaker. … It takes a lot of studying.” – Christian McCaffrey
His commitment to mastering all aspects of the game is reflected in his seriousness with preparation in practice and during games.… He’s all about quality, not quantity. Whether it’s taking three steps instead of five when coming out of his breaks, he’s constantly sharpening certain skills. Jonathan focuses on the minutiae, every brush stroke in his training. To keep loose and perform at his best, he employs tools such as a massage gun on his hamstrings and glutes.
McCaffrey’s dedication to being a complete back like that is nothing new, it’s been a guiding principle throughout his approach to the game.
“For me, it’s always been about being a complete back,” – Christian McCaffrey
He’s eager to do more than what the running back position typically allows for. Rather, he wants to be viewed simply as a football player, one who can succeed both in the backfield and out wide. His father’s lessons stick with him to this day and form the basis of his overall approach of how he wants to approach the game.
The appreciation for McCaffrey’s toughness and playmaking abilities doesn’t stop with his family.
“Some people are gifted to be able to play the game of football, and they’re able to then go to the next level, and they pick up on the things that they need to pick up on to a certain extent to have success. Then there’s other individuals that go up and above. There is a level of obsession to being great that Christian has always had.” – Dawkins
This unhealthy standard of greatness has launched McCaffrey into record-setting territory among NFL royalty. He already holds the record for most receptions in a season by a running back with 116 catches in 2019. And yet, with staggering dedication, he continues to rewrite record books. Simultaneously, he has to know the bigger narrative at play when it comes to league treatment of running backs.
“I do think running back is the most disrespected position in the NFL for how much value a lot of these guys bring to their team,” – Christian McCaffrey
His advocacy of better recognition and higher compensation for running backs reverberate through conversations both on and off the field. Even beyond the correlation, McCaffrey just wants to highlight the fact that running backs are integral to their teams’ successful campaigns. He wants future contract negotiations to better reflect their real worth.
McCaffrey brings crazy speed and agility together with all-out will. This lethal tandem has led him to truly become a difference-maker on his team and a household name throughout the entire league. Whether you’re a casual fan or a football savant, McCaffrey’s performances electrify—we’ve never seen a player this explosive and innovative at the running back position.
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