ad_1]
Christian McCaffrey’s star-crossed time in Carolina has come to an finish.
The Panthers introduced Thursday night they’ve traded the standout operating again to the San Francisco 49ers. In alternate, Carolina is receiving picks within the second, third and fourth spherical within the 2023 NFL Draft, in addition to a 2024 fifth-rounder.
The Panthers had been seeking to land a first-round choose, however their greatest provides got here from the Niners and Rams, neither of whom personal one in subsequent 12 months’s draft, NFL Community reported. McCaffrey is now below contract with San Francisco by way of the 2025 season and heads again to the Bay, the place he performed collegiately at Stanford.
In 2022, McCaffrey has been taking part in his greatest ball since his 2019 All-Professional marketing campaign. He is averaging 4.6 yards per carry by way of six video games and 111.6 yards per sport from scrimmage. The all-purpose again led the Panthers with 33 receptions, serving as a little bit of a one-man offense for the rebuilding franchise.
The sixth-year veteran joins a 49ers group that’s tied atop the NFC West (3-3) however has scuffled on offense since its January run to the NFC Championship Sport.
The Niners’ operating sport, in fact, has been their robust swimsuit this season, very like most years below Kyle Shanahan. Alternative starter Jeff Wilson has tallied 400 yards on the bottom, which is seven greater than McCaffrey, whereas averaging 4.9 yards a pop. CMC figures to amplify an already potent dashing assault but in addition carry an added dimension to the group’s faltering passing sport.
That could possibly be on show instantly, as McCaffrey is reportedly anticipated to swimsuit up for Sunday’s showdown in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App). The 26-year-old operating again is scheduled to fly to San Francisco on Friday and could possibly be utilized in a restricted package deal this weekend.
The mixture of McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk offers Shanahan and veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a treasure trove of offensive weapons to work with.
Solely time will inform whether or not CMC proves to be the ultimate piece of a championship puzzle.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
