Christian McCaffrey trade details: 49ers acquire Panthers RB for hefty package of picks

Joe Rivera

Christian McCaffrey trade details: 49ers acquire Panthers RB for hefty package of picks image

Christian McCaffrey has a long flight ahead of him.

That's because the now-former Panthers running back is heading back to the West Coast. The 49ers acquired the star in a trade late Thursday night, pending a physical.

McCaffrey made his name in California. As a running back at Stanford, he was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He holds the FBS record for all-purpose yards in a season with 3,864 in 2015. He was drafted in the first round in 2017 by the Panthers, where he had spent his entire career.

Now, he heads a short distance from Stanford — after about a six-hour plane ride from Charlotte — to don the Niners' gold and red.

CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY TRADED TO 49ERS:

Christian McCaffrey trade details

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the 49ers paid a hefty price to acquire the star running back:

  • 49ers receive: RB Christian McCaffrey
  • Panthers receive: 2023 second-round pick, 2023 third-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, 2024 fifth-round pick

Rapoport also reports that the Bills, who were rumored to be interested in McCaffrey, were not involved in trade talks. The Rams were also making a push for McCaffrey, but their NFC West rivals wound up with him. 

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The 49ers are also inheriting McCaffrey's contract, but it's only worth $1 million in 2022, with next year's salary jumping up to $11.8 million.

The move reinforces San Francisco's run-first offense and adds depth to a backfield that features the oft-injured Elijah Mitchell (recovering from injury), Jeff Wilson and Tevin Coleman.

If McCaffrey can stay healthy, that's about as good a reinforcement as a team can get.

Joe Rivera