The addition of versatile running back Christian McCaffrey adds so much to the San Francisco 49ers offense. The unit's full potential was on display against the Los Angeles Rams. McCaffrey accounted for half of the team's total yards while scoring a rushing touchdown, a receiving one, and even tossing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
"Is he going to play like that every week, hit the trifecta? I hope so, but probably not," general manager John Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area last week.
The 49ers want to temper expectations. McCaffrey can't do it alone each week. However, he adds to an offense exploding with talent. It's a group that already included wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, tight end George Kittle, and versatile fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Neither Samuel nor Juszczyk played against the Rams. McCaffrey's presence is yet another factor for which opposing defenses must account.
"I think we have enough guys, they can take turns," Lynch added.
Samuel, speaking with Justin Melo for an exclusive interview with 49ers Webzone, shared his thoughts on what McCaffrey adds to San Francisco's offense.
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"I was like, man, we're getting another guy that's really good with the football in his hands," Samuel told Melo while laughing, knowing what a headache the 49ers offense will be for opposing defenses. "Before we traded for him, we had myself, [George] Kittle, BA [Brandon Aiyuk], Jauan [Jennings], and Ray-Ray [McCloud III]. I can go down the line and name everybody.
"We're all capable of doing great things with the ball in our hands. ... We're getting Elijah Mitchell back at some point. We added even more fire to this offense.
McCaffrey had 149 all-purpose yards on 26 touches against the Rams. His touchdown pass to Aiyuk was a 34-yarder, making him accountable for 183 of the 368 total yards in the 31-14 rout.
"I mean, we were already a very explosive offense, like I just said," Samuel added. "His addition is going to make us even more explosive. You've already seen the early signs of that."
Click here to read Melo's entire interview with Samuel, where the receiver talks fatherhood, Jeff Wilson Jr., Jimmy Garoppolo, and going to war with Trent Williams.
