Christian McCaffrey Clarifies Viral Comments About 49ers, Panthers Trade

The San Francisco running back called the deal the "best thing that ever happened" to him.

From his earliest years in the NFL, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey served as a focal point of the Panthers' offense. He could run, he could catch, and from time to time he even demonstrated an ability to throw.

However, Carolina’s inconsistent quarterback play from 2017 to ’22 prevented it taking the next steps, and McCaffrey was traded to San Francisco on Oct. 21, 2022.

Earlier this month, McCaffrey made waves by suggesting at the 49ers’ annual Dwight Clark Legacy Series speaking event that being traded to San Francisco was “the best thing that ever happened to him.”

Some observers took this as a slight to the Panthers, so McCaffrey circled back Friday to clarify that he meant his comments to be less anti-Carolina than pro-49ers.

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“I just felt very fortunate to be a part of something that was already so developed … like I said, a culture that was established,” McCaffrey said of San Francisco.

After acquiring McCaffrey last season, the 49ers closed on a 10–1 tear that ended in a 31–7 loss to the Eagles in the NFC championship game.

"I do want to make it clear that was nothing against Carolina when I said that," McCaffrey added. "I have no bad blood and I love everybody there. I still keep in touch with a lot of my teammates there and a lot of the coaches who I had the privilege of playing for there."

McCaffrey is slated to open year two in San Francisco on Sept. 10 against the Steelers.