49ers reward RB Christian McCaffrey with 2-year extension

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Working again Christian McCaffrey, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Participant of the 12 months, has reset the working again marketplace for the second time in about 4 years, signing a two-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners introduced the deal (however didn’t disclose monetary phrases) on Tuesday afternoon, not lengthy after sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the deal — which averages $19 million over the 2 added years — was finished.

Along with the 2 additional years (2026 and 2027), the Niners added $8 million over what McCaffrey was scheduled to make in 2024 and 2025 whereas including $24 million in ensures, the sources instructed Schefter. WME negotiated the contract, which follows the 2020 pact he signed with the Carolina Panthers which additionally set a report for working again compensation.

After the 49ers accomplished the primary day of their obligatory minicamp, a relaxed McCaffrey made it clear how a lot it means to him to proceed elevating the bar at his place.

“I believe it is actually vital,” McCaffrey mentioned. “I believe working backs have been undervalued for a very long time now and hopefully it is a step in the fitting course.”

McCaffrey returned to the 49ers on Tuesday after skipping out on the voluntary portion of the offseason program. Whereas coach Kyle Shanahan had beforehand declined to clarify why McCaffrey was absent and identified that organized workforce actions had been voluntary, there had been discussions between the edges about extending McCaffrey’s deal as a way to reward him for his affect since he arrived on the commerce deadline in 2022.

The extension will maintain McCaffrey with the 49ers by the 2027 season. Earlier than the reworked deal, McCaffrey had two years remaining on the profitable extension he signed with the Panthers.

However these two seasons had zero remaining assured {dollars} in base salaries of $11.8 million in 2024 and $12 million in 2025. The extension ensures all of that and comes with $8 million extra for McCaffrey.

“Enterprise is enterprise, it is a part of this sport,” McCaffrey mentioned. “Each side had been mutually very respectful the entire time and simply proud and comfortable that we received one thing finished.”

For the Niners, retaining McCaffrey was one thing of a no brainer as he rapidly established himself as the focus of one of many league’s most prolific offenses following the October 2022 commerce that introduced him to San Francisco. The 49ers acquired McCaffrey from the Panthers for 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round picks in addition to a 2024 fifth-round choice. Since, McCaffrey has impressed teammates and coaches along with his consistency, productiveness and maniacal consideration to element.

McCaffrey, who turns 28 on Friday, posted 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 whole touchdowns in 2023 and the Niners firmly imagine that he has the power to proceed to play at that stage for the foreseeable future, even into his 30s.

“Whenever you have a look at Christian simply as a person, I am not going to match him to anyone else,” Shanahan mentioned. “Christian is without doubt one of the extra proficient individuals I’ve ever met in my life, but when I did not discuss that, I would say he is nearly the most important overachiever I have been round in my life when it comes to how obsessive he’s with each little factor … You do not image him dropping any of that due to the [age], but when that stuff does occur, Christian’s at all times going to be a great soccer participant till he decides to not be. And we’re probably not involved with that in any respect along with his kind of persona.”

Whereas McCaffrey was in Santa Clara on Tuesday, he didn’t take part in apply. He did a exercise on the facet and sure will not take part once more on Wednesday, in response to Shanahan.

The Niners had greater than 20 gamers not collaborating on Tuesday for varied causes, although the one two gamers to not report had been receiver Brandon Aiyuk and left deal with Trent Williams. Williams was attending his daughter’s commencement from faculty and is predicted to be again on Wednesday.

Aiyuk, in the meantime, is staying away as he continues to goal for a profitable contract extension of his personal. As a result of the minicamp is obligatory, he’s topic to fines in extra of $104,000 if he would not arrive over the following three days.

Up to now two offseasons, defensive finish Nick Bosa and wideout Deebo Samuel confirmed as much as the minicamp however didn’t take part to keep away from these fines as they labored out their contract points. Aiyuk is taking a unique method, although Shanahan mentioned that does not change how he views the state of affairs.

“Some guys come as a result of they wish to keep away from a high quality and a few do not, however regardless, it would not change something when these guys have come,” Shanahan mentioned. “We all know what the method is. We all know what the enterprise half is and that is simply how they determine how they wish to deal with this week.”

Samuel mentioned Tuesday he is been in common contact with Aiyuk all through the offseason, providing his assist when wanted on how you can navigate the contract state of affairs. His high piece of recommendation has been to evangelise endurance.

“On the finish of the day, you wish to get what you deserve, and also you hope it occurs,” Samuel mentioned. “However it’s not going to occur within the well timed method that you really want it to occur. It is only a ready sport and on this state of affairs, you simply let his agent talk with them they usually talk again and it is simply the backwards and forwards for a very long time.”