The NFL Honors finalists are in, and the San Francisco 49ers are once again front and center in the league’s biggest awards conversation. With the ceremony set for February 5 at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts-just three days before Super Bowl 60 kicks off at Levi’s Stadium-the Niners have two major names in the running: head coach Kyle Shanahan and all-world running back Christian McCaffrey.
Let’s start with Shanahan. He’s earned his spot among the five finalists for NFL Coach of the Year, and frankly, it’s hard to argue against it.
The 49ers navigated a grueling 12-5 season, and they did it while battling through a laundry list of injuries to key contributors. Yet somehow, Shanahan kept the ship steady, the offense clicking, and the team right in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
That kind of resilience and leadership is exactly what this award is about.
Then there’s McCaffrey, who didn’t just have a good season-he had a historic one. The 29-year-old running back is a finalist for three major awards: NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year.
That’s rare air. In fact, he’s just the second player in NFL history to be named a finalist for all three in the same season.
The only other? Joe Burrow, who pulled it off last year.
McCaffrey’s numbers speak for themselves: 2,126 total yards from scrimmage-1,202 on the ground and 924 through the air-plus 17 touchdowns. That’s not just production; that’s dominance. He was the engine of the 49ers’ offense, the constant in a season full of moving parts, and a nightmare for defenses every single week.
Let’s break down where he stands in each race.
NFL MVP Finalists
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills, QB
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars, QB
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots, QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, RB
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams, QB
It’s a quarterback-heavy field-as expected. McCaffrey’s inclusion is a testament to just how impactful he was, but the reality is, this award has become a quarterback’s playground.
The last running back to win MVP? Adrian Peterson in 2012.
And this year, Matthew Stafford looks like the clear frontrunner after leading the NFL in both passing yards (4,707) and touchdown passes (46). Still, McCaffrey’s presence on this list is no small feat.
It puts a spotlight on just how rare and valuable his dual-threat skill set really is.
Offensive Player of the Year Finalists
- Drake Maye, New England Patriots, QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, RB
- Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams, WR
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons, RB
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks, WR
McCaffrey won this award two seasons ago when he led the league in both total yards and touchdowns. This year, while his numbers are still elite, he’s facing stiff competition-especially from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Seahawks receiver hauled in 119 catches for a league-best 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. That kind of production, especially from a second-year wideout, is going to be tough to beat.
But again, McCaffrey’s versatility and consistency kept him in the conversation all season long.
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
- Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots, WR
- Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions, DE
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars, QB
- Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers, RB
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, QB
Now this is where McCaffrey has a real shot. After appearing in just four games last season, he returned in 2025 looking like the best version of himself. His blend of power, speed, and vision made him a weekly highlight reel and a matchup nightmare.
His top competition? Trevor Lawrence, who led the Jaguars to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title.
Lawrence is also in the MVP mix, which gives him a strong narrative boost. But if we’re talking pure comeback impact, McCaffrey’s resurgence was the definition of a bounce-back season.
Dak Prescott had one of the best statistical years of his career, but the Cowboys’ 7-9-1 record likely hurts his case. The numbers were there, but team success often swings votes, especially in a category like this. And while it’s not entirely fair-Dallas’ defense struggled mightily-it’s part of the reality.
McCaffrey, meanwhile, was the heartbeat of a playoff team, a tone-setter who did it all. He finished second in this race back in 2022, the year he split time between Carolina and San Francisco. This time, he’s got a real chance to finish the job.
All told, this is shaping up to be a special night for the 49ers. Whether or not McCaffrey takes home hardware in all three categories, the fact that he’s in the mix for each speaks volumes.
He’s not just one of the most dynamic players in the NFL-he’s one of the most respected. And with Shanahan also getting the recognition he deserves, the Niners are well-represented in the league’s biggest spotlight.