In the lead-up to the game, star running back Christian McCaffrey did not participate in preseason action due to general muscle tightness as he enters his 10th NFL season. The team emphasized that the absence was precautionary, intended to keep McCaffrey fresh for the regular-season grind.
The week after the final exhibition, McCaffrey received notable recognition. He was named No. 6 on the NFL Top 100 Players list following an outstanding 2025 campaign. The ranking, determined by votes from NFL players, reflects performance from the previous season. In that period, McCaffrey delivered one of the most complete stat lines of his career.
During the 2025 season, McCaffrey appeared in all 17 games, totaling 311 rushing attempts for 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also led the league in receiving yards among all running backs, with 102 receptions for 924 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. His overall production reached 2,126 total scrimmage yards, ranking second in the NFL behind Bijan Robinson. The performance earned him multiple honors, including invitations to the Pro Bowl, first-team All-Pro recognition, and the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year award for that season.
McCaffrey entered the league as a standout for the Carolina Panthers after being drafted with the No. 8 overall pick in 2017 out of Stanford. He spent more than five seasons with Carolina before the Panthers traded him to the 49ers during the 2022 season. Across his career, he has earned four Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors. He has piled up 1,658 rushing attempts for 7,589 rushing yards and 62 rushing touchdowns across 112 games, while adding 626 receptions for 5,390 receiving yards and 36 receiving touchdowns.
Looking ahead to the 49ers’ season, the organization has retained core talent while adding pieces to bolster a lineup aimed at contending for a return to Super Bowl contention in a competitive NFC West. San Francisco is set to begin the regular season on September 10 with a primetime showdown in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.
For fans following the team, expectations include leveraging a balanced offense that can generate efficient ground and aerial threats, as well as a defense capable of stifling high-powered offenses. The 49ers will need to navigate a demanding schedule, manage injuries, and foster depth across the roster to maintain their status as strong contenders in the conference.
Overall, the preseason provided valuable insights into the roster’s depth and potential, while McCaffrey’s continued excellence remains a central storyline as the team transitions from exhibition play to the regular season grind. As the season unfolds, observers will be watching how the 49ers deploy their offense around McCaffrey and how the defense adjusts to new challenges across the league.
