Christian McCaffrey’s presence on the field is the reason why Kyle Shanahan’s offense finished in the top five in terms of scoring in 2022 and 2023. He’s not just a running back—he’s the engine. McCaffrey amassed 1,459 running yards and 21 total touchdowns in 2023 alone. His presence aided San Francisco in making it to the Super Bowl and back-to-back NFC Championship Games. But in 2024, without him? The Niners not only missed the playoffs but also averaged only eight fewer points per game. And eventually fell to a 6–11 record. Now, as 2025 kicks off, McCaffrey’s name isn’t just making waves for his return to the field, but he’s also making waves for a significant move off-field.

McCaffrey revealed a new project on Tuesday that has nothing to do with Levi’s Stadium, playbooks, or game preparations. Instead, he is travelling throughout California for a youth football camp trip in five different cities. McCaffrey shared the news on Instagram: “California, we’re doing a camp tour hitting a city near you! I’ll be hosting FIVE youth camps with @flexworkmgt across the state – Bakersfield, Fresno, San Jose, Sacramento, and Santa Rosa. Register on FlexWorkSports.com – See you soon!” The camp, which is being organised in collaboration with FlexWork Sports Management, is scheduled for June 13–15 and will cater to boys and girls aged 6–16.

According to FlexWork, one of the top players in the NFL is leading the charge, it’s three days and five stops. “5 camps, 3 days with one of the NFL’s best! Come out and see CMC in a city near you!🔴🏈” During each stop, McCaffrey and his staff will provide hands-on teaching, competitive drills, and football basics. With limited-edition equipment and a downloadable team portrait featuring McCaffrey as a bonus, the program promises a “second to none” experience for all young players, from young beginners to seasoned youth players.

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It’s the kind of move that demonstrates McCaffrey’s current mindset: he is focused on the next generation, motivated by the grind, and obviously assured of his health going into what may be a season that defines his legacy. However, not everyone is sharing the optimism. Despite all of the enthusiasm surrounding McCaffrey’s camp tour, Kyle Shanahan should be awake at night because of one statistic line—and no, it’s not the camp registration list.

Why Kyle Shanahan can’t afford another McCaffrey meltdown

Christian McCaffrey simply didn’t look like himself the previous season. His impact was minimal after recovering from bilateral Achilles problems and sustaining a knee injury in the middle of the season. ESPN’s Ben Solak, raising the alarm in stark numbers, said, “The four games in which McCaffrey played last season were concerning. His max speeds were 16.4, 16.7, 16.1, and 17.4 mph. That 17.4 would’ve been his fifth worst in any game during the 2023 season.”

What’s even worse? His signature evasiveness disappeared. McCaffrey only forced five missed tackles in 2024 after forcing 60 in 2023, which was the third-most in the NFL. A complete crash. And the wear is showing. McCaffrey’s workload in 2022 and 2023 was unmanageable, with 798 touches. When you factor in his 29th birthday on June 7, the Bay Area is starting to worry about whether he can get back to his best.

McCaffrey is the cornerstone of the 49ers. Under the presumption that No. 23 would resume his No. 23 duties, they traded Jordan Mason, strengthened their offensive core, and secured Brock Purdy’s deal. But San Francisco would suffer immensely if 2024 McCaffrey becomes the new normal. As Solak put it: “We’ll know quickly if his body has bounced back for 2025… but at this point of his career, it’s probably best to keep expectations low.”

That is a drastic change from just two seasons prior, when McCaffrey led the 49ers to a Super Bowl and appeared to be the most complete back in football. The questions are now growing: Will he be able to get his explosion back? Can he play the entire season? Is Shanahan able to risk losing his job on the solution? It’s possible that Christian McCaffrey may be paving the way for football in California. But the future appears to be becoming more dubious for Kyle Shanahan.