In 2025, the 49ers star piled up 2,126 total yards (second in the league) and 17 scrimmage touchdowns (third as a rusher), while leading the NFL with 413 touches. He was on pace for a second 1,000-yard season as a receiver, and would have reached the mark in receiving with just 76 more yards.
The season marked a stark contrast to 2024, when a bilateral Achilles injury kept him out eight games and a knee issue in Week 13 kept him from finishing the year. He suffered the knee injury against the Bills after a tackle by safety Taylor Rapp on a frozen surface, ending a 6-11 finish that left the 49ers outside the playoffs.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan lauded McCaffrey’s resilience, calling the year “one of the most impressive seasons by an individual player ever” and highlighting his constant effort to be ready week in and week out. McCaffrey emphasized his love for the game and the drive to compete, underscoring his commitment during a trying rehabilitation process.
McCaffrey’s award-profile grew alongside team success, with the 49ers finishing 12-5 and returning to the playoffs after a 2024 stumble. They beat the defending champion Eagles in the wild-card round before being eliminated by the Seahawks in the Divisional Round. The running back remained a central figure for a franchise that has produced a strong win rate with him in the lineup (40-16) and is expected to pursue more achievements in 2026, even as competition for honors like CPOY and MVP remains intense—Dak Prescott was also a Comeback Player of the Year finalist.
