The San Francisco 49ers are stumbling, folks. They’ve dropped to 5-6 and find themselves staring up at the rest of the NFC West. In their recent 38-10 drubbing by the Green Bay Packers, the offense looked lost without Brock Purdy at the helm. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen struggled to get anything going, and the team looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. But there’s a deeper issue plaguing the 49ers, one that goes beyond the quarterback situation.
It’s the curious case of Christian McCaffrey. Now, don’t get me wrong, McCaffrey is a phenomenal talent. Since landing in San Francisco from Carolina, he’s racked up an impressive 2,354 yards and 20 touchdowns. But this season, things haven’t been quite the same. McCaffrey started the year sidelined with Achilles tendinitis, and while he’s back on the field, he’s not quite back to his explosive self. In his three games back, he’s managed just 149 rushing yards and zero touchdowns, adding a modest 13 receptions for 132 yards.
Here’s where things get interesting. Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers’ head coach, seems determined to feed McCaffrey the ball, regardless of his effectiveness. In those three games, McCaffrey has shouldered a hefty 43 carries. Meanwhile, Jordan Mason, who filled in admirably during McCaffrey’s absence, has been relegated to the sidelines.
Remember, Mason was a force when given the opportunity. He piled up 685 yards and three touchdowns, consistently handling double-digit carries and keeping the offense humming. But since McCaffrey’s return, Mason’s been practically invisible, with a measly six carries over three games.
This is where Shanahan’s stubbornness is hurting the team. He’s so focused on force-feeding McCaffrey, trying to reintegrate him as if he were 100%, that he’s neglecting other options. The result? A stagnant offense that’s averaging a mere 16 points per game since McCaffrey’s return, down from a respectable 26 points per game before his comeback.
Look, I get it. McCaffrey is a star, and Shanahan wants to get him involved. But sometimes, the best strategy means adapting to the situation. Right now, McCaffrey isn’t the game-breaker he once was, and over-relying on him is throwing the offense out of whack. Brock Purdy thrives on a strong running game, and without that balance, the whole system crumbles.
Christian McCaffrey, the superstar running back, has inadvertently become an absolute disappointment for the 49ers. And until Shanahan recognizes this and adjusts his approach, the 49ers’ struggles are likely to continue.
