Niners Nation on Christian McCaffrey

ArticleExplaining the biggest difference between the 2025 and 2026 49ers
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That same issue meant opposing defenses could shrink the field and turn their attention to George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey underneath... McCaffrey had to be a magician behind the line of scrimmage. The margin for error in the running game was next to nothing because the receivers didn't have the necessary passion as blockers.

STACKED’s take

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McCaffrey was forced to create magic behind the line due to weak receiver play.

In 2025, McCaffrey had to function as a magician behind the line of scrimmage because opposing defenses could shrink the field and focus on him underneath; the lack of receiver physicality and blocking meant the running game had almost no margin for error, forcing McCaffrey to create plays in tight spaces.

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