The San Francisco 49ers have made an unexpected start to the 2025 NFL season, with a record of 4-1 despite not scoring a rushing touchdown in the first five weeks. This incredible fact puts them in good company. They become just the second team in the last 90 years to pull off this impressive accomplishment after beginning the season with a winning record. Topping the list at No. 1, Christian McCaffrey gives a historic performance. He quickly established himself as a key cog in the Niners’ machinery.
Whatever the biggest indicator of combined production and value is, McCaffrey’s contributions to the team have been exceptional. He’s on pace for 442 touches this year. If he pulls it off, he’ll join a very elite club, one that currently consists of just seven players in league history. He’s been a star every step of the way, eclipsing 100 scrimmage yards in each of his first five games. As such, he currently leads the entire NFL in yards from scrimmage and total touches.
Along with his general yardage accomplishments, McCaffrey has broken new ground in the passing game. He leads all of his RB peers with three receiving touchdowns in just five games. This performance has him tied for the most touchdowns in all of football this season. He ranks seventh among all players in receiving yards per game (77.4). In addition, he ranks third in total receptions and ranks second in yards after catch as well.
Just last week, McCaffrey put on an NFL history-making performance against the Los Angeles Rams. He created an absurd 12 missed tackles, seven from rushes and five from receptions. This freakish display of human agility was his best game since being drafted by the Niners. It underscores how essential he is to the team’s offensive gameplan.
Though all of these traits sound good, when you look at McCaffrey’s rushing numbers, the story changes. He is currently holding a rushing average of 56.4 yards per game which ranks him 23rd in the NFL for rushing yards per game. He ranks 40th in yards per carry (3.1) and 36th in yards before contact per attempt (1.52). He balances that out with an excellent receiving average of 51.6 yards a game.
To think that McCaffrey’s touches are even noteworthy. He accounts for 47.6% of San Francisco’s offensive touches, a rate that would be the highest for any player since 2022. His versatility allows him to adapt to various roles on the field, making him a focal point of the Niners’ offense during their fast start.
Kyle Juszczyk, a teammate and fullback for the 49ers, has praised McCaffrey’s resilience and performance despite concerns about his durability coming into the season.
“There were so many doubts coming into this season about how this guy can hold up after what he’s been through,” – Kyle Juszczyk
Juszczyk emphasized McCaffrey’s ability to maintain high performance levels despite extensive usage:
“I think the guy touches the ball 30, 40 times a game and he’s still standing and he’s still doing his thing.” – Kyle Juszczyk
Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has echoed this sentiment, highlighting McCaffrey’s tough and gritty nature as integral to his success:
“He’s one of the toughest, grittiest guys I’ve ever been around — how he approaches every day, how physical he is,” – Kyle Shanahan
For his part, McCaffrey still insists on ignoring any talk of personal glory. He has been the first to admit that he himself and his teammates can do better.
“The win is the most important thing, and we don’t care how we have it,” – Christian McCaffrey
With the season nearly halfway done, McCaffrey’s pace would put him on track for an incredible 1,316 yards receiving. If achieved, this would break the NFL record for receiving yards in a season by a running back, previously held by Del Shofner at 1,097 yards in 1958.
Looking back on his tenure with the 49ers so far, McCaffrey had quite the introduction to the franchise. In fact, his debut was far less auspicious than anything he’s experienced this year. After a somewhat rocky introduction, he has soundly cemented himself as an important cog for San Francisco.
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