Christian McCaffrey Faces Rushing Conundrum Amid 49ers’ Offensive Struggles
Christian McCaffrey is in the midst of a season that, while not disastrous, presents an intriguing paradox. Despite playing through a calf strain, he is on track for a remarkable 1,065 receiving yards, which would mark a career high. The running back remains one of the premier pass-catching threats in the NFL. Statistically, his rushing success rate sits at 51.4, slightly above his career average of 50.2. Furthermore, McCaffrey has displayed his classic elusiveness, breaking five tackles across just two games, according to Pro Football Focus.
However, the numbers tell a different story when it comes to his ground game. McCaffrey’s average of 3.5 yards per carry represents a career low, and his longest run this season has only reached 13 yards. This discrepancy raises questions about what is happening within the 49ers’ offensive setup.
Kyle Shanahan Weighs In
To gain insight into McCaffrey’s unexpected rushing challenges, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided his perspective. When asked if defenses were stacking the box against McCaffrey, Shanahan clarified, “No, it’s actually more the opposite, more two-shell defenses and stuff.” He explained that while blitzes can create a crowded box, opponents are opting for different strategies that make it harder for McCaffrey to exploit gaps.
“It’s harder to get big plays against a two-shell defense. The longest carry we had against the Saints was 13 yards, which is not what we aim for,” Shanahan noted. He acknowledged that there have been missed opportunities for big runs, particularly against eight-man fronts, stating that “it takes 11 guys to do it. You can’t get a big one when one guy’s off.” While he isn’t overly concerned about the run game, he admitted that he would like to see improved production.
Christian McCaffrey’s Self-Reflection
After Shanahan’s comments, McCaffrey shared his thoughts at his locker, indicating a level of self-awareness about the situation. “We’re close,” he said. “A lot of it is just I can’t get tackled. That’s on me. Being able to break these long ones comes from all 11 guys being on point and me stepping up and hitting those long ones.” His remarks suggest that the challenges may stem from a combination of individual and team execution.
Despite his ability to break tackles, McCaffrey has found himself dealing with defenders in the backfield more often than he would like, especially when attempting runs up the middle. In the first two games of the season, he has been handed the ball 13 times through the A-gaps but has managed only 1.5 yards per carry on those attempts. Conversely, when he runs outside of the tackles, his average improves to 4.8 yards per carry, which is slightly above his career norm.
Identifying the Offensive Gaps
The struggles appear to be linked to the 49ers’ center-guard double teams, which have not effectively moved opposing defensive tackles off their spots. This insight opens the door for potential adjustments in play calling. The 49ers’ coaching staff may now consider calling more runs off tackle, allowing McCaffrey to utilize his speed and agility more effectively.
As the 49ers look ahead, the focus will be on optimizing their offensive schemes to unlock McCaffrey’s full potential and enhance their rushing attack. The blend of McCaffrey’s talent and the right adjustments could be key in turning around the current narrative surrounding the team’s ground game.
