Christian McCaffrey Eyes 49ers Franchise Record, While Channeling a Bay Area Legend
SANTA CLARA - Christian McCaffrey isn’t one to dwell on personal accolades - at least not during the season. But even he admits some milestones are worth a moment of appreciation. Like the one he’s chasing Monday night: just seven receptions away from breaking Roger Craig’s long-standing 49ers franchise record for most catches by a running back in a single season.
Now, McCaffrey already owns the NFL record in that category - 116 catches from his 2019 campaign with Carolina - but this one hits different. This one ties him to a 49ers icon he grew up watching on highlight reels, trying to mirror the way Craig ran, caught, and attacked defenses with relentless energy.
“Obviously had a big impact on me,” McCaffrey said Thursday. “He was extremely versatile, could do anything - run any run, run any route.
But it was the mindset he ran with that stood out. He just refused to be denied.
The way he picked his knees up, the way he finished runs - that’s something I take pride in too.”
Craig wasn’t just ahead of his time - he helped define what the modern all-purpose back could be. In 1985, he became the first player in NFL history to post 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. He won three Super Bowls with the 49ers, and his impact on the West Coast offense of the ‘80s can still be felt today.
McCaffrey, now 29, is on pace to join the 1,000/1,000 club again this season - a remarkable feat in any era, let alone in one where running backs are often rotated or phased out of the passing game. Through Week 15, he’s sitting at 86 receptions for 820 yards and five touchdowns, along with 259 carries for 922 yards and nine more scores. He’s been the engine of Kyle Shanahan’s offense - a true dual-threat weapon who can line up anywhere and beat you in multiple ways.
“Roger Craig was a hell of a player and a cool guy from the past with all those stats,” Shanahan said. “Christian’s had some big plays as the primary target downfield, and some huge check-downs too.
He also gets a ton of carries. It’s been an unbelievable year for him, and it’s cool to see him break records along the way.”
While McCaffrey hasn’t had a signature long run this year - his longest is just 20 yards - his value lies in the grind. He’s been a master of the “ugly yards,” as running backs coach Bobby Turner calls them - the two- and three-yard gains that wear down a defense and set the tone for the fourth quarter.
“Anytime you’ve got the ball in your hands, you’re trying to get yards,” McCaffrey said. “If they’re tackling you for two, you can get four. Always fight for extra yards, always make it tough on them.”
That mindset? Pure Roger Craig.
And while Craig wasn’t available for comment this week, he made sure to give McCaffrey a shout before a recent home game, telling him, “You are the man.” Coming from a 49ers legend, that’s no small thing.
“He’s a trendsetter, a pioneer when it comes to this league,” McCaffrey said. “He had such an effect in the run game and the passing game - he was a matchup nightmare.
When you think of those 49ers teams, I don’t know if Roger Craig gets enough credit. He put defenses in a bind at a time when that just wasn’t happening.
It would’ve been cool to see him in today’s game.”
Why the Colts - and Philip Rivers - Still Pose a Threat
The 49ers might be 10-4 and in control of their path to the NFC’s No. 1 seed, but Monday night’s matchup against the Colts isn’t a gimme - not with Philip Rivers under center. Yes, that Philip Rivers. The 44-year-old quarterback came out of retirement for a late-season run, and while his numbers last week were modest - 120 passing yards - Kyle Shanahan sees a lot more than what the box score shows.
“He’s a little bit older, so maybe not quite as fast or able to throw it as far as he used to,” Shanahan said. “But you don’t know that for sure just watching tape.
What I do see is a guy who knows how to play the position as well as anyone. He had 27 throws last game, and every one went to the exact right spot.
He read the coverages, he got the ball out, and he played against a really good pass rush.”
That quick decision-making? That’s what makes Rivers dangerous - even at 44.
“When you go against defenses like Seattle’s, you’re not going to outrun them,” Shanahan said. “You don’t out-athletic a great defense - unless you’re someone like Vick or Lamar.
You’ve got to be able to get rid of the ball. That’s a unique skill.
Some guys have it, some don’t.”
And Rivers? He’s always had it.
Whether it’s vision, arm angles, processing speed, or just calm in the pocket, he’s still got the mental tools to make a defense pay. That’s why the Colts turned to him.
Not for flash - but for precision.
So while all eyes in the Bay Area might be on McCaffrey chasing history, the 49ers know they can’t afford to overlook the veteran QB on the other sideline. Monday night could be a showcase of old-school toughness and new-school versatility - and both teams have players who know how to deliver in the biggest moments.