The San Francisco 49ers put all their eggs in one basket before the trade deadline and partly risked their future. But Christian McCaffrey shows the risk can pay off

It’s been a while since the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers agreed on the blockbuster trade of running back Christian McCaffrey.

But what was negotiated between the two franchises in mid-October last year could have big implications for the future – at least for the 49ers’ short-term.

Because while the Panthers finally went into rebuild mode by giving up their superstar, the team from California may have picked up the crucial piece of the puzzle for the big time.

McCaffrey makes 49ers fans dream

McCaffrey is having an outstanding season and now even has 49ers fans dreaming of a Super Bowl triumph ahead of the Wild Card Game against the Seattle Seahawks.

When he was with the Panthers, he shined in the first games of the regular season, scoring three touchdowns in six games. The last one he scored for the Panthers was against the 49ers on 9 October.

It was not foreseeable at the time that he would play for the Niners only two weeks later. But after it was announced that the Panthers would give up McCaffrey in exchange for some draft picks, the 49ers swooped in and secured the services of the 26-year-old.

It was to be a costly endeavour. Because the Panthers knew the value of their superstar and played high poker. For Caffrey, they secured the second, third and fourth round picks in the upcoming draft, as well as a fifth round pick in 2024.

49ers sacrificed a piece of their future for McCaffrey

The 49ers, meanwhile, sacrificed another piece of the future for him. Because not only are they rid of those picks, but they’re also rid of the upcoming first-round pick. They had already given it away to the Miami Dolphins. In return, they were allowed to pick Trey Lance third in the 2021 draft.

But the current season ended early for the quarterback. He broke his ankle in just the second game and was out of action.

McCaffrey, however, is encouraging the 49ers that at least with him the all-in strategy might have paid off.

Since his arrival in San Francisco, he has raised his statistics to another level. He has already scored eleven touchdowns in eleven games for the team from the Bay Area. In total, he is in the top ten of this statistic after the regular season with 1,139 running yards (eight rushing touchdowns).

In addition, he has gained 741 yards and five touchdowns from caught balls. That’s because McCaffrey, while primarily a running back, can also be used as a wide receiver.

McCaffrey also makes Purdy and Kittle better

In addition, he proved that he can distribute the ball in the game against the Los Angeles Rams. In a 31-14 win, he pulled off a very rare feat. He caught a touchdown, ran for a touchdown and also threw a touchdown pass. Only ten players have ever achieved this feat in the long history of the NFL.

But with his incredible versatility, he doesn’t just excel in individual statistics. He also makes his team better. It is certainly no coincidence that the 49ers have won ten of eleven games with him, after previously winning only three of six.

Especially rookie quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle benefit enormously from the new addition.

With McCaffrey’s unpredictability always drawing one or two more defenders to him, Purdy and Kittle can play to their strengths even more.

“Opposing defenders always have to watch him because he can do so much,” Purdy said on “NBC Sports” in December about McCaffrey, whom he called a “Swiss Army knife” because of his tremendous versatility.

Purdy raves about McCaffrey

Purdy, who is enjoying a fairytale rise himself as a strong replacement for injured quarterbacks Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, appreciates another quality about McCaffrey.

“He really wanted me to go over every single play with him. He told me where he was lining up, what he was doing and what his assignment was,” the 23-year-old said, marvelling, “It’s crazy how fast he’s learned and that he already knows our playbook inside and out.”

Since Purdy has led the team onto the field as the starting quarterback, he and McCaffrey have yet to lose this season. From the point of view of 49ers fans, it might as well stay that way – until the Super Bowl on 12 February in Glendale, Arizona.