Christian McCaffrey traded to 49ers in blockbuster deal

The Carolina Panthers have traded Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, a source confirmed to Fox News Digital. 

The Panthers announced the deal shortly after midnight Friday morning.

They began fielding calls on the star running back, but did want to avoid trading him – apparently they got an offer they couldn’t refuse.

In return, the Panthers received a second, third, and fourth-round pick in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024, according to multiple reports.

Niners’ starting running back Elijah Mitchell suffered a sprained MCL in the opening week of the season, and their mobile QB Trey Lance broke his fibula in Week 2. Their running game has been just fine with Jeff Wilson Jr. in the backfield, but McCaffrey is a star and instantly makes their offense better.

McCaffrey is just one of three players to gain at least 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. He accomplished that rare feat in 2019, joining Marshall Faulk (1999) and Roger Craig (1985).

However, injuries plagued him the past two seasons. He played in just 10 games total in 2020 and 2021.

But this season, he’s played in all six games, rushing for 393 yards on 85 carries, two of them scores. He has also caught 33 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown.

The Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule last week and traded receiver Robbie Anderson earlier this week, which was essentially the beginning of the fire sale – but now, it’s a five-alarm fire.

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When McCaffrey was asked about his current situation in Carolina, he said he is more focused on controlling the things he can. “Keeping that away from me. That’s out of my control. Trying to control everything I can control. Right now I’m a Carolina Panther and giving my all to this place,” McCaffrey said.

He is in the first year of a four-year, $64 million deal which $38 million of it is guaranteed, but he is only owed $1.035 million for this season, per Spotrac.

NFL Network also reported that the Panthers were in talks with the Los Angeles Rams, who recently had issues with Cam Akers. 

They also report that McCaffrey could suit up this Sunday for the 49ers against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj and Scott Thompson contributed to this report.