National Football League

Panthers trade RB Christian McCaffrey to 49ers for multiple picks

Updated Oct. 21, 2022 9:24 a.m. ET

Christian McCaffrey's star-crossed time in Carolina has come to an end.

The Panthers announced Thursday evening they have traded the standout running back to the San Francisco 49ers. In exchange, Carolina is receiving picks in the second, third and fourth rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as a 2024 fifth-rounder.

NFL Network reported that the Panthers were looking to land a first-round pick, but their best offers came from the Niners and Rams, neither of whom own one in next year's draft. The shocking swap sends McCaffrey back to the Bay — he played collegiately at Stanford — where he's now under contract with San Francisco through the 2025 season.

In 2022, the 26-year-old McCaffrey has been playing his best ball since his 2019 All-Pro campaign. He's averaging 4.6 yards per carry through six games and 111.6 yards per game from scrimmage. The all-purpose back led the Panthers with 33 receptions, serving as a bit of a one-man offense for the rebuilding franchise.

The sixth-year veteran joins a 49ers team that is tied atop the NFC West (3-3) but has scuffled on offense since its January run to the NFC Championship Game.

The Niners' running game has taken a step back, ranking 26th in Football Outsiders' DVOA metric. Replacement starter Jeff Wilson has done his part, averaging 4.9 yards a pop while tallying 400 rushing yards. CMC figures to amplify the ground game but also bring an added dimension to the team's uneven passing attack.

That could be on display immediately, as McCaffrey is reportedly expected to suit up for Sunday's showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports App). The former Pro Bowler is scheduled to fly to San Francisco on Friday and could be used in a limited package this weekend.

The combination of McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk gives coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a treasure trove of offensive weapons to work with.

Only time will tell whether CMC proves to be the final piece of what has been an elusive championship puzzle.