Christian McCaffrey’s fiery run: Panthers discard proving his worth with 49ers

Christian McCaffrey isn't holding back. The running back seems to be running angrier these days. Or maybe more people are noticing because the running back is no longer with the Carolina Panthers, a team that doesn't receive much national attention.

Last season, the Panthers traded McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, who already owned a roster brimming with playmakers. Now, McCaffrey is in the spotlight, on true Super Bowl contender. The NFL world has taken notice.

The trade blindsided McCaffrey. He expected to be a Panther for his entire career. He called Charlotte home and felt like he was part of the city. And the star running back was playing well.

"We weren't on a good team, but I felt like I wasn't messing up enough to where [they'd think], 'We've gotta get rid of this guy,'" McCaffrey told Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle.

For the Panthers, it was a calculated move to secure value for their prized asset. However, that doesn't matter to McCaffrey, who doesn't see much difference between being traded or released. Both signal a desire to move on from you.

Despite landing in a great situation, the emotions of being cast off by the team that drafted him remain high for the running back.

"I think it would be weird if I was all happy about somebody getting rid of me," McCaffrey said. "I think that would be more of an unnatural reaction than being angry."

The 49ers, on the other hand, are reaping the benefits. They surrendered significant draft capital (second, third, and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024) to acquire McCaffrey, but it was all worth it. McCaffrey leads the NFL in rushing attempts (80), rushing yards (459), rushing touchdowns (6), touches (98), yards from scrimmage (600), and total touchdowns (7). He's on pace for an MVP-caliber season.

However, the annual award tends to lean heavily toward quarterbacks, making it unlikely McCaffrey earns the respected distinction.

Nevertheless, on an offense that already had Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, adding yet another dynamic playmaker seems almost unfair to the rest of the NFL.

"It's insane that it was legal for him to be traded to us. They should have banned that trade," fullback Kyle Juszczyk jokingly told Silver.

Whether he's stiff-arming veteran Los Angeles Rams cornerback and former Niner Ahkello Witherspoon or leaping over Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerback Kei'trel Clark, McCaffrey is running like he has something to prove. Maybe that goes back to the Panthers discarding him.

The mentality inside the 49ers locker room may also be contributing to McCaffrey's intensity while carrying the football. The team prides itself on being more physical than its opponent.

"He plays angry," Juszczyk said. "He plays like he's been disrespected. I do think it is typical of guys when they come here to want to match the mentality of guys around you. You see guys like (Brandon Aiyuk), Deebo, and George Kittle, and you feed off that. You don't want to be the guy who gets taken down on a single tackle."