Any way you slice it, the $38 million extension keeps CMC as the highest-paid running back. Alvin Kamara’s deal, signed in 2020, comes in second at $15 million per year. Jonathan Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension last October ($14 million per). Saquon Barkley dominated the RB market this free agency with a three-year, $37.75 million ($12.583 million per) pact in Philadelphia.
Since being traded to San Francisco in 2022, McCaffrey has been the driving force behind Kyle Shanahan’s diverse offense. In 2023, he led the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards on 272 carries with 14 rushing touchdowns. He added 564 receiving yards on 57 catches and seven more scores.
Given his importance in the Niners’ playoff run — and the fact that the club was essentially making a deal with the Panthers after paying the bonus — CMC was in line for a new pact this offseason. The deal keeps him under contract until 2027, when he will be 31, and provides security at the back. In the short term, San Francisco will likely use the extension to reduce the running back’s cap hit for 2024 ($14.144 million).
Running backs have struggled on the open market in recent seasons, but paying going rate for a player as vital as the dual-threat McCaffrey makes sense for a Niners club looking to return to the Super Bowl and win. extend its championship window.
