San Francisco 49ers fans were treated to the complete spectrum of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey between 2023 and 2024.
In 2023, of course, the dual-threat weapon notched 2,023 all-purpose yards en route to an Offensive Player of the Year award, propelling the Niners all the way into the Super Bowl. Yet that all came crashing down in 2024 when calf, achilles and knee injuries limited McCaffrey to a mere four games played.
And San Francisco subsequently boasted a 6-11 record.
According to NFL Network's Brian Baldinger, appearing on the Bay Area's 95.7 The Game, the 49ers' success or failure in 2025 will hinge heavily upon what version of McCaffrey the Niners get over the course of the year.
If it's the 2023 version, San Francisco will be in good shape. If not, well...
Brian Baldinger's take on Christian McCaffrey is both optimistic and worrisome
Of course, the 49ers are far more than just a McCaffrey-centric team. Quarterback Brock Purdy has other weapons at his disposal, headlined by All-Pro tight end George Kittle. And the Niners defense, reuniting with coordinator Robert Saleh, has enough star power in household names like linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa, who help overcome the many offseason changes that befell the roster.
Still, McCaffrey is lining up to be the biggest X-factor.
"If McCaffrey looks like he did two years ago, I think the 49ers will win the division," Baldinger explained. "I think they’re going to be that good. Like, he's that much of a difference maker."
“If McCaffrey looks like he did two years ago, I think the 49ers will win the division. I think they’re going to be that good.”@BaldyNFL on the importance of Christian McCaffrey 👀 pic.twitter.com/u6Rz7tIm5c
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) September 2, 2025
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It's not too hard to conclude that. After all, a 2,000-yard campaign from any player is bound to put a team into top contention, and McCaffrey helped do just that two seasons ago.
At the same time, it's also just as reasonable to see 2023 as a complete anomaly, one that'd be nearly impossible to repeat for any star player, let alone an oft-injured player like McCaffrey.
Remember, CMC appeared in just 10 games between 2020 and 2021 when he was with the Carolina Panthers prior to that blockbuster 2022 trade that sent him to the Bay Area. And, now 29 years old, it's even more worrisome to place that much of a burden on a standout fast approaching the age when most running backs hit the proverbial "cliff."
So, in that regard, Baldinger is right. If McCaffrey bounces back and even just shades his 2023 efforts, the Niners will be just fine.
If it's the 2024 version, San Francisco might be in serious trouble.