Final yr’s Offensive Participant of the Yr simply hasn’t been the identical in 2024 to date, however Kyle Shanahan believes it’s ‘unfair’ to anticipate a lot out of Christian McCaffrey after spending so lengthy on the sideline.
Sluggish Begin For McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey was unquestionably the perfect non-quarterback within the NFL final yr however after being identified with tendinitis in the summertime, the operating again started an extended street to restoration forward of 2024.
After spending weeks on finish receiving remedy on each of his calves, McCaffrey lastly made his season debut for the Niners in week 10 in opposition to the Seahawks.
However final yr’s Offensive Participant of the Yr hasn’t been his regular driving power since returning and his output is a mere fraction of the numbers he was placing up final yr.
McCaffrey missed out on a lot whereas sidelined that it comes as no shock he has endured a gradual begin to his marketing campaign, however Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan believes expectations have been set too excessive.
“The hypothesis on Christian, I believe, is somewhat bit unfair to him,” Shanahan mentioned. “Christian’s enjoying very effectively, he’s enjoying his ass off. However to suppose a man who misses a whole offseason is simply going to be the very same the day he will get again could be unfair to any participant on the planet, I really feel like.”
Kyle Shanahan says it’s an “unrealistic expectation” to suppose Christian McCaffrey needs to be enjoying on the similar stage as he did final season#49ers pic.twitter.com/Wod9e2wbqs
— Kevin Krueger (@kevinkruegs) November 27, 2024
The operating again managed simply 31 dashing yards in week 12, which was his lowest recorded determine since becoming a member of the 49ers and his worst afternoon since week 4 in 2022.
“So, I believe Christian’s doing a hell of a job.” Shanahan continued, “however to only suppose him coming again in Week 8 with not with the ability to do something for the final 9 months or no matter it’s, and to suppose he’s simply going to be in MVP type is a really unrealistic expectation.”
San Francisco face Buffalo in Monday evening soccer this week as McCaffrey continues his comeback, nonetheless in search of his first landing of the yr.
