Christian McCaffrey remained one of the NFL’s most productive backs in 2025, but the San Francisco 49ers’ rushing attack posted its worst numbers since Kyle Shanahan became coach in 2017. The team averaged 3.8 yards per carry (30th in the NFL), 106.9 rushing yards per game (24th) and 2.04 yards before contact per carry (29th). In yards per carry and yards before contact, those were the worst marks under Shanahan, and the rushing yards per contest was the second-worst mark under his tenure.
San Francisco also struggled to generate big plays, finishing with 46 runs of 10-plus yards (tied for 20th) and a long of 41. “It’s the least amount of explosives we’ve ever had,” Shanahan said. The coach attributed the issue to scheme, certain running plays and perimeter blocking and said the team must improve.
McCaffrey carried a heavy load in 2025, finishing with 337 carries for 1,285 yards and 10 touchdowns and leading the NFL with 413 touches. With McCaffrey turning 30 on June 7, Shanahan has again expressed a desire to use him less. “It is challenging because you’re talking about a player who does not want to come off the field,” 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. Kubiak added that success around the league shows top backs often come out of games and that managing McCaffrey’s workload must be a priority.
In the offseason, veteran backup Brian Robinson Jr. left in free agency for the Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco used a third-round pick (No. 90) on Indiana running back Kaelon Black, a choice that drew ire from fans and pundits given prior misses at that range. The depth chart behind McCaffrey now lists Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo and Black as the top options.
Including the playoffs, James and Guerendo have combined for 90 carries, 448 yards and four touchdowns in the NFL. James, a 2025 fifth-round pick, missed much of his rookie camp with knee and finger injuries and was active for the final three regular-season games and two playoff contests. His first NFL carries came in the playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when he had six carries for 28 yards and one catch for 7 yards.
Guerendo has flashed speed, recording a 4.33 40-yard time when he saw action amid injuries to other backs. For the 49ers to feel comfortable taking McCaffrey off the field more, one of the backups will need to seize the No. 2 job and demonstrate the ability to pick up blitzes and catch and run the ball; at present, James appears most likely to win that role.
