The San Francisco 49ers best player on the roster is no doubt running back Christian McCaffrey. During the 2025 NFL season, he rushed for 1,202 yards on 311 carries and 10 touchdowns, along with averaging 3.9 yards per carry. McCaffrey also caught 102 passes for 924 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, along with averaging 9.1 yards per reception.
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Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He is 29 years old. It has been hit or miss with McCaffrey’s health year-by-year. He is a very talented running back. San Francisco is in win-now mode. He has one-year remaining on his contract after the 2026 NFL season concludes. Is there any chance that McCaffrey could get traded now or not really?
PFF Lists San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey as the Best Trade Chip
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Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) defends during the first half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
Profootballfocus.com writer John Kosko listed the best trade chip for each NFL team as the rest of the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. He thinks that the 49ers best trade chip is McCaffrey. Kosko said about San Francisco’s star running back,
“It is highly unlikely the 49ers will move on from McCaffrey, but given multiple defensive needs and an aging offensive line, exploring a trade could be worth considering. McCaffrey remains one of the most dynamic backs in the NFL, but his career has been impacted by injuries, and he is entering his age-30 season — a point at which decline often begins for running backs.
Moving him now could allow San Francisco to maximize value while addressing key roster needs.”
The 2026 NFL season might be San Francisco’s final chance to win it all. If they do not win it all this season, there could be a world where the 49ers decide to start all over. A lot of it also going to depend upon on how well McCaffrey will play in 2026. They just signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal in free agency. McCaffrey for this year is not going anywhere. There will be a bigger conversation about him getting traded next offseason if concerns do arise.
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