After what appeared to be a dream season, Sunday’s NFC title game unfolded like a complete disaster for the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s bunch looked forward to pushing the Philadelphia Eagles, but an early Brock Purdy “new Tom Brady” fumble changed the entire complexion of this final-four matchup. Because not only did Purdy lose possession, he suffered an elbow injury that appeared to limit his ability to throw the ball.
Have no fear! There was fourth-stringer Josh Johnson! Oh wait, he would also get knocked out of the game. Uh, so … what options did the 49ers have at quarterback, as both Purdy and Johnson seemed incapable of playing?
Why none other than the monstrous tailback Christian McCaffrey (seriously). The 49ers confirmed this possibility when Johnson’s ailment had the 49ers’ staff give McCaffrey a special helmet that could hear the offensive play calls:
Josh Johnson left the game after going down on the previous play. Christian McCaffrey is the emergency QB, and switched his helmet out so he could have one that is capable of hearing play calls.
Brock Purdy ended up returning for one play at QB: A handoff to the RB. pic.twitter.com/K5OL5RlLfo
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 29, 2023
Even while they prepped for McCaffrey to take snaps at QB, it seemed the 49ers wanted to avoid this worst-case scenario. A limited Purdy would come back in to take snaps, putting the runner back on ice.
Nevertheless, folks were over the moon at the possibility of a running back in McCaffrey potentially going under center in a conference championship game.
NFL fans really wanted to see Christian McCaffrey playing QB after the 49ers' injuries
Christian McCaffrey about to do this pic.twitter.com/JWHMWkQJMN
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) January 29, 2023
Christian McCaffrey at quarterback pic.twitter.com/YJCp6jjMw4
— ًًMamba (@MambaSZN) January 29, 2023
The Niners coaches showing Christian McCaffrey how to play quarterback pic.twitter.com/4u9WOOzZv9
— Andrew Joseph (@AndyJ0seph) January 29, 2023
I'd very much like to see Christian McCaffrey play quarterback in this game.
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) January 29, 2023
Just put Christian McCaffrey in at quarterback you cowards.
— Jake Trowbridge (@JakeTrowbridge) January 29, 2023
Christian McCaffrey is getting his calf massaged before he has to go in at quarterback. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this.
— Zito (@_Zeets) January 29, 2023
The world wants to see Christian McCaffrey at quarterback
— cory (@CoryWClark) January 29, 2023
"christian mccaffrey is the next available quarterback" is the tastiest set of words I've ever heard
— niki grayson (unofficial) (@godsewa) January 29, 2023
It might be an absolute disaster but I’m extremely excited to see Christian McCaffrey and/or Kyle Juszcyzk play quarterback
— Billy Heyen (@BillyHeyen) January 29, 2023
QUARTERBACK CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY what is this game
— Suzie Hunter (@TheSuzieHunter) January 29, 2023
Let Christian McCaffrey play quarterback!
— Pat Casey (@Pat_Kc) January 29, 2023
I want to live in a world where Christian McCaffrey suits up as a quarterback in the NFC Championship.
— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) January 29, 2023
Low key wanna see Christian McCaffrey play quarterback
— MICHAEL LARK (@themichaellark) January 29, 2023
Christian McCaffrey playing quarterback for the 49ers and coming back to win this game is everything we need in the world right now.
— Winning Lineups (@LineupsWinning) January 29, 2023
Christian McCaffrey getting ready to come in as quarterback and save the 49ers’ season: pic.twitter.com/OU8o6BklHi
— O.T. Hadzima (@ChiSportzKid) January 29, 2023
