Christian McCaffrey shares honest feelings as 49ers go tradeless at NFL deadline: "Losing guys is tough"

Christian McCaffrey has experienced what it's like first-hand to be dealt in the middle of the season. His transition from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers will be remembered as a key move that set the team up for multiple playoff runs in the Kyle Shanahan era. However, no such big move was made this time around.

McCaffrey was asked for his reaction to the team's decision to decline making any moves in a clip on a Wednesday X post by CBS Sports' Matt Lively. McCaffrey appeared to be all-in on the decision, but did note that the team is down some players.

"The guys that you go out there and play with are the guys that you feel confident playing with and I think everybody in this team can play, and I'm fired up about our team and where we're at, and we just got to keep rolling," McCaffrey said.

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Obviously, losing guys is tough, and it's never easy, but you see the kind of depth that you have in guys who have stepped up and come out here and done a really good job. ... I haven't thought of it till you just asked that question, but it shows me that they have confidence in the guys that we have," he added.

Overall, McCaffrey said what the front office likely wanted to hear from their soldier. However, for a team that is hurting up and down the roster, not making a move means there is no cavalry coming. No one is coming to save the San Francisco 49ers, and it falls on them to make up the difference.

Christian McCaffrey emerges as 49ers' ironman as injury bug continues plaguing offense

Christian McCaffrey at San Francisco 49ers v New York Giants - NFL 2025 - Source: Getty

Early in his career, Christian McCaffrey was the face of why running backs are a dangerous position. The running back failed to start double-digit games for the Carolina Panthers twice in his first five seasons. For years, fears of injuries ruining another potential star surrounded the running back.

Those fears returned in 2024 as McCaffrey failed to start more than four games due to injury. In 2025, the script has completely flipped, however.

On a team that has seen Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Mac Jones, George Kittle, and others significantly impacted by injuries, McCaffrey has surprised fans as the team's ironman.

On Sunday, the running back will have a chance to triple his rushing yard total from a season ago and has already earned four more touchdowns in 2025 than he earned in 2024. Of course, he hasn't been perfect in yards per carry, which sits as his lowest of his career. Will Christian McCaffrey turn it up a notch as temperatures around the country continue to drop?

Edited by Ian Van Roy