49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey brings in more hardware for the 2025 season.
Christian McCaffrey’s return to full strength became one of the NFL’s best stories of the 2025 season, and it was officially recognized Thursday night when the San Francisco 49ers running back was named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.
Just a day earlier, he was named the NFL’s Salute to Service Award recipient, an honor that recognizes players who make a meaningful impact in supporting military members, veterans, and their families.
The back-to-back accolades underscored not only his elite performance on the field in 2025 but also his leadership and community commitment, which have become defining parts of his career.
After appearing in only four games during an injury-filled 2024 season, McCaffrey bounced back with a dominant, all-purpose campaign that reminded the league why he remains one of football’s most complete offensive weapons.
He rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 924 yards receiving and seven more scores.
His 2,126 yards from scrimmage ranked second league-wide, trailing only Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson; meanwhile, his 413 touches led the NFL.
Just getting through the entire season healthy was an accomplishment. McCaffrey’s 2024 campaign unraveled early due to Achilles tendonitis that kept him sidelined for the first eight weeks.
He returned briefly but suffered a PCL injury late in the year that ultimately shut him down. That adversity made his 17-game availability in 2025 all the more significant.
Once back on the field, McCaffrey wasted little time reestablishing himself as the focal point of the 49ers' offense.
CMC led the team comfortably in rushing while also topping the roster in receptions and receiving yards.
Even with defenses keying on him weekly, he remained productive thanks to his versatility, vision, and ability to create mismatches in both phases of the offense.
The season also placed him in rare historical company. McCaffrey became one of only a few players ever to post multiple seasons with over 2,000 scrimmage yards and at least 15 touchdowns.
He also joined Hall of Fame legends LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk in statistical categories that highlight elite dual-threat production from the running back position.
His performance drew broader league recognition beyond the comeback award.
McCaffrey was also a finalist for both the NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year honors.
His ability to stay healthy, handle a heavy workload, and produce at an elite level reaffirmed his standing as one of the NFL’s premier playmakers
With the award, McCaffrey becomes the third San Francisco player to earn Comeback Player of the Year since it was reintroduced in 1998, following Bryant Young and Garrison Hearst.
It’s another significant milestone in a career already filled with accolades.