Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Shanahan are getting their due after a 2025 season that tested the limits of endurance, execution, and elite football IQ in San Francisco. Both have been named finalists for major NFL honors, a nod to just how pivotal they were in keeping the 49ers among the league’s elite despite a season filled with setbacks.
Let’s start with McCaffrey, who’s up for not one, not two, but three awards: MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year. That kind of triple-threat recognition doesn’t come easy-and in McCaffrey’s case, it came after a campaign that was as gritty as it was explosive.
He piled up 2,126 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone 17 times. And while his 3.9 yards per carry might not jump off the stat sheet, the context matters.
Defenses keyed in on him. The offensive line battled injuries.
And yet, McCaffrey still found ways to tilt the field-especially in the passing game, where he came just 76 yards shy of posting another 1,000-1,000 season. That’s rare air, and it speaks to the kind of versatility that makes him such a nightmare for opposing coordinators.
Make no mistake: McCaffrey was the engine of the 49ers’ offense. Every defensive game plan started with trying to slow him down.
But when it comes to league-wide MVP voting, he’s likely fighting an uphill battle. Quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye have the inside track-fair or not, that’s often the nature of the award.
It’s a similar story for Offensive Player of the Year. McCaffrey has the résumé, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba has the momentum.
That said, if there’s one trophy McCaffrey has a real shot at bringing home, it’s Comeback Player of the Year. After an injury-riddled 2024 season that saw him sidelined with Achilles and knee issues, his return to form in 2025 was nothing short of remarkable.
He didn’t just bounce back-he came back better, sharper, and more determined, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most dynamic players in football.
Then there’s Kyle Shanahan, who once again proved why he’s one of the most respected minds in the game. The 49ers finished 12-5, a record that doesn’t tell the full story of what this team endured.
Injuries hit hard-and not just in one area. Quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker-you name it, the 49ers had to patch it together.
And yet, Shanahan kept the ship steady, kept the offense humming, and kept San Francisco in the thick of the NFC race.
It’s no surprise he’s a finalist for Coach of the Year. What is surprising is that, despite his long track record of success, Shanahan still hasn’t won the award. He’s been close-runner-up in 2019 and 2022, fifth in 2023-but the trophy’s remained elusive.
This year, the competition is fierce. Liam Coen led a turnaround in Jacksonville.
Ben Johnson revitalized the Bears. Mike Vrabel brought new life to New England.
And Mike Macdonald? He turned Seattle into a legitimate Super Bowl threat, punctuated by a defense that stifled the 49ers in Week 18 and again in the Divisional Round.
But this is a regular-season award, and in that context, Shanahan’s case is as strong as anyone’s. The 49ers split their series with Seattle during the regular season, and considering the injuries they had to navigate, it’s hard to argue anyone got more out of their roster than Shanahan did. He didn’t just survive the adversity-he coached through it with precision and poise.
So while the NFL Honors ceremony will ultimately decide who walks away with the hardware, the recognition alone speaks volumes. McCaffrey and Shanahan didn’t just have good seasons-they had defining ones. And whether or not the awards come their way, their impact on this 49ers team won’t be forgotten anytime soon.