It should help that McCaffrey doesn't have to go through rookie growing pains again, so he can focus solely on getting a full NFL offseason under him.
"There's a lot that goes into your rookie year, on and off the field, just moving, getting used to everything and getting in the flow," McCaffrey said. "It's nice this year just to not have to ask about everything ... You kind of know what to prepare for and what to look for."
If anything, things are moving slower for McCaffrey this offseason, which he believes is a good thing.
"Just trying to home in and be under control and have fun doing it," he said.
McCaffrey has looked solid during the Commanders' offseason workout program. He made a tough sideline catch during the final practice of OTAs, fighting off tight coverage from fellow second-year player Tyler Owens in seven-on-seven drills. That should make wide receivers coach Bobby Engram happy, but he wants to see McCaffrey push his development even further.
"Just continued growth as a receiver," Engram said. "Route running, run after the catch, contested catches, really everything. But I thought Luke did a great job of just staying the course last year.
Engram added that McCaffrey got off to a "hot start" as a rookie before "things kind of cooled off a little bit," but that didn't affect his work ethic or approach. Engram is expecting the same from McCaffrey this offseason.
"I think naturally the biggest jump will be between year one and year two. And I really like the speed and the way he's attacking football out there right now. He's made some really tough catches."
McCaffrey knows there's only one way to get better: hard work.
"I don't think there's any secret to success, especially in this league and especially in such a competitive, results-driven game," McCaffrey said. "I think hard work and dedication. There's not going to be anything that's a miracle that somebody finds."