What happened: San Francisco is evaluating Christian McCaffrey's long-term fit as he plays out the final year of a relatively cheap cap structure. The 30-year-old running back carries a $1.3 million base salary for the 2026 season before his contract sharply escalates.
Why it matters: The 49ers must balance McCaffrey's elite production against his impending financial burden and the historical decline of running backs after age 30. Releasing him following this season would save $17.5 million in cap space, while a contract restructure could free up $11.7 million without incurring dead money.
By the numbers: McCaffrey logged 311 rushing attempts and 102 receptions in 2025, playing nearly 83% of the team's offensive snaps. He forced a league-high 113 missed tackles and caught 73 passes behind the line of scrimmage.
What to watch: San Francisco will evaluate the progress of recent third-round draft pick Kaelon Black and 22-year-old Jordan James as potential future options in the backfield.