As the San Francisco 49ers gear up for the 2024 NFL season, they remain arguably the best team on-paper in the entire NFL.
The key phrase of course is “on-paper.”
Considering their loaded roster, it’s undoubtedly a supreme disappointment that the 49ers haven’t won a Super Bowl yet under this current regime.
The path to that long-awaited Lombardi Trophy just got a little bumpier with the news that All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey sustained a calf strain during training camp and will be sidelined for a few weeks.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan assured fans and that McCaffrey’s injury is not expected to have long-term implications.
Despite this reassurance, McCaffrey is unlikely to participate in preseason games. The 49ers are hopeful for a swift and complete recovery for their standout do-it-all player.
McCaffrey, widely considered the best running backs in the NFL, had an outstanding 2023 season.
He led the league with a career-high 1,459 rushing yards and scored 14 touchdowns on 272 carries. His exceptional performance earned him the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award and positioned him as an MVP candidate.
McCaffrey’s contributions were instrumental in the 49ers’ playoff success, particularly in their victories over the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions, which propelled them to the Super Bowl.
In recognition of his value, the 49ers signed McCaffrey to a two-year contract extension in June, worth an average of $19 million per year.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are also dealing with contract negotiations involving star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
According to NFL Network insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, talks have stalled, leading to speculation that Aiyuk might be traded.
Multiple teams have shown interest including the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders. (Although the latest rumblings suggest that the Patriots are no longer interested.)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly re-emerged as potential suitors for Aiyuk – although ESPN insider Adam Schefter poured cold water on their chances.
“I don’t expect Pittsburgh to be a landing spot at all,” Schefter said. “I think Pittsburgh, like a lot of teams, checked into this. Here’s the price it would take from the 49ers, here’s the price it would take from Brandon Aiyuk, and every team has to make a decision about whether or not that would work for them. Inevitably, with most teams, it’s not gonna work, and that’s why it’s a hard trade to do.”
As for McCaffrey, the 49ers are hoping that the injury doesn’t prove to be too serious and doesn’t end up lingering on during the season.
Many fans are already blaming the dreaded “Madden Curse” for McCaffrey’s injury.
What about you? … Do you believe in the Madden Curse???
