ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Carolina Panthers are trading running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers.
Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.
McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford. pic.twitter.com/R474r3eSkv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
There had been rumors that the 49ers were involved in a potential trade for the former first-round pick, who head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch passed on in favor of defensive lineman Solomon Thomas during the 2017 draft. Five years later, McCaffrey is on his way to the Bay Area.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the 49ers surrendered second-, third-, and fourth-round draft picks in 2023, plus a fifth-rounder in 2024 for the running back. That leaves them with very little draft capital next year. There had been rumors that the division-rival Los Angeles Rams were also interested in McCaffrey.
Full terms:
-- The #49ers get star RB Christian McCaffrey.
-- The #Panthers get a 2nd round pick in 2023, a third-rounder in 2023, and a fourth-round pick in 2023. Plus, a fifth-rounder in 2024.Massive.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2022
The Panthers made McCaffrey the No. 8 overall pick in 2017. It is a homecoming for the running back. He played college football in the Bay Area at Stanford.
McCaffrey has rushed for 3,980 yards and 32 touchdowns in his six NFL seasons, including 393 rushing yards and two touchdowns through six games this season. He has also registered 390 receptions for 3,292 yards and 18 touchdowns throughout his NFL career.
McCaffrey earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2019 when he recorded a career-high 1,387 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns to go along with his 116 receptions for 1,005 yards and four receiving touchdowns. That is also the last time the running back surpassed the 1,000-yards-rushing mark. He has missed 23 games since.
Later, the 49ers officially announced the news.
RB Christian McCaffrey has been traded to the San Francisco 49ers pending physical.
Welcome back to The Bay @CMC_22 ! #FTTB pic.twitter.com/fRfMqsRx5M
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 21, 2022
