Last season, running back Christian McCaffrey was traded to the 49ers after spending 5 1/2 seasons with the Panthers.
McCaffrey was shocked to learn he was being traded to San Francisco, he recently admitted during an appearance on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, because Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer had told the two-time Pro Bowler he would “absolutely not” be traded. McCaffrey even bought a house in Carolina because he expected to stay be a Panther “forever.”
But, six games into the 2022 season with the Panthers, McCaffrey got the call informing him that he’d be heading to the 49ers. McCaffrey admitted the first emotion he felt was “anger” when he learned of the trade.
“It’s a weird deal because there’s so many emotions, and the first emotion is probably anger,” McCaffrey said. “Like, you guys don’t want me anymore? That’s really what it is. ‘Well, they got a lot for you.’ Nah, like you think you’re better off without me; that’s what it is. You’re pissed off, but then you’re excited. There’s so many emotions that get flooded at you at once.”
McCaffrey explained that he didn’t have much time to process his emotions because he was traded late on a Thursday night and immediately flew out the next morning to begin practicing with the 49ers.
“I don’t know if I’ve fully decompressed yet from the whole thing,” McCaffrey said.
McCaffrey finished last season making 11 game appearances for the 49ers. He rushed for 746 yards on 159 carries with six touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 464 yards and four touchdowns.
With McCaffrey on the roster, the 49ers made it to the NFC championship game, where they lost to the Eagles. The Panthers, on the other hand, finished 7–10 and didn’t make the playoffs.
