The MVP award is hardware typically reserved for the best quarterback of any given season.
And while Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye are making compelling cases to bring home the award in 2025, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey may be nipping at their heels.
As the 49ers enter their bye, McCaffrey's already entered historic territory in his age-29 season, and it's hard to argue there's any one player more important to their team than the two-way threat.
Christian McCaffrey enters historical territory with all-purpose yards
In a post from ESPN insider Adam Schefter, all of McCaffrey's feats were laid out, along with the Hall of Fame company he's keeping.
"McCaffrey now has a league-leading 1,655 scrimmage yards this season, 849 rushing and 806 receiving. He’s the third player in NFL history with at least 800 rush yards and 800 receiving yards in his first 13 games of a season, joining Roger Craig in 1985 and Marshall Faulk in 1998.
"It’s the third season in McCaffrey’s career with 800 rush yards and 800 receiving yards, tied with Marshall Faulk for the most such seasons in NFL history.
"McCaffrey now is on pace for his second career season with 1,000 rush yards and 1,000 receiving yards, which he also accomplished in 2019. McCaffrey would be the first player in NFL history with multiple seasons of 1,000 rush yards and 1,000 receiving yards.
"His 85 receptions this season are fourth in the NFL — and 31 more than any other running back through Week 13. It’s his fifth NFL season with at least 80 receptions, tied with Marshall Faulk for the most by any running back in NFL history."
The former Stanford product's production is unfathomable, considering all the moving parts the Niners have dealt with this season.
Both Brock Purdy and George Kittle have missed extended periods of time, and the defense lost two of its best players, Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, to season-ending injuries.
Despite all of those setbacks, San Francisco is 9-4 and should be a threat in the postseason.
And McCaffrey is arguably the biggest reason why.
More 49ers news:
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- 49ers' Ricky Pearsall sends hilarious message on Christian McCaffrey's workload
- Kyle Shanahan provides tantalizing analysis of Panthers rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan
- 49ers re-sign backup quarterback to roster after Brock Purdy's return
- 49ers' Kyle Shanahan delivers clear message on Jaxson Dart ahead of Giants matchup
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