San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was flat-out dominant in 2023. A season in which he was able to run through defenses with ease, be a focal point for a potent 49ers offense, and grind their way to a Super Bowl matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, McCaffrey can add AP Offensive Player of the Year to this season’s list of accomplishments.
It was a special season that showed McCaffrey’s value and what he can do for an offense as he separates from his peers as the clear best running back in the NFL. In a league that is flying further away from investing in elite-level running backs, McCaffrey used 2023 to show the NFL world that having the right one can go a long way.
Christian McCaffrey Wins Offensive Player of the Year
Thursday night was a night of hardware for the 49ers running back. While he hopes it won’t be the only trophy given to him this week, the AP Offensive Player of The Year award is an exclamation point on what was an excellent season for the star running back.
McCaffrey finished the season with 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 272 carries, good for 5.4 yards per carry. In addition to his work on the ground, McCaffrey was also a force in the air for QB Brock Purdy as well, finishing the year with 67 receptions for 564 receiving yards and seven additional touchdowns.
#49ers RB @CMC_22 has been named the 2023 AP Offensive Player of the Year. 🏆#FTTB | #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/HDd905wHKb
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 9, 2024
McCaffrey’s impact on the game and his dominance on both the ground and in the air made him an easy choice for the award as he beat out stiff competition that included Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, and Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill.
All of them were worthy of the award but fell just short of McCaffrey as he brings home the award just days before he and his team will take the field for the ultimate prize in Super Bowl 58.
McCaffrey Trade Puts San Francisco 49ers Over the Top
What the 49ers have going on right now is working: a well-rounded team that has made it to two straight NFC Championship Games and has broken through to make it to the big game this season with a lot of that thanks to McCaffrey and his addition to the team.
Just two years ago the 49ers acquired McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers, and it was a move that shocked the NFL world while also shaking up the top of the league. It’s a gamble that 49ers CEO Jed York knows had to be made.
MORE: Which Star RBs Did McCaffrey Credit for His Rise to the Top RB in the NFL?
“That’s the time that you want to push your chips in the middle,” York said. “I feel like that’s where we were with Christian. We did give up a lot, but I think we have one of the best — if not the best — players in the National Football League on our team.”
QB Brock Purdy also knows the value of having the star running back by his side and just what he brings to the offense to help him.
“He’s why our pass game and our play-action pass and all that kind of stuff opened up because he sort of sets the standard with the run game, and then when we do pass the ball, he’s there in our play,” Purdy said.
“He catches the ball, he makes guys miss, he can go up against safeties and linebackers and make them miss and stuff in the pass game. And then he scores touchdowns. His stats are crazy. So, he’s definitely a valued player and I think the most valued player.”
There have been very few moves in recent memory that have paid instant dividends quite like this move, and as a result, McCaffrey is adding hardware to his trophy room with the hopes of them all adding to a ring at the end of the week as well.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!