The San Francisco 49ers are hoping to bounce back in 2025 after a 2024 NFL campaign to forget.
In an injury-ridden season to multiple star players, including running back Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers wound up tallying just six wins, finishing last in the NFC West.
49ers running back on CMC’s return and what its’ like playing alongside $265m star
With a proven Brock Purdy under center, and a healthy McCaffrey in the backfield, the 49ers now have the potential to be a force on the offensive side of the ball, especially in the run game, once again.
Guerendo sees McCaffrey as a ‘game changer’
One player who is excited to have his teammate back is fellow RB Isaac Guerendo, who calls CMC a ‘one-of-one’-type player.
Follwing Day 17 of training camp at Levi’s Stadium and the SAP Performance Facility, the 25-year-old spoke exclusively to talkSPORT about the return of McCaffrey to the offense.
“Talking about Christian [McCaffrey], it’s the versatility that he has,” he said.
“He’s one-of-one. He’s like no other with it and I think that is something big that he brings. His pass-catching ability, run blocking ability, and obviously his ability to run with the ball is big.
“It’s game-changing, so having him out there is exciting.”
With McCaffrey having dealt with a calf and Achilles injury throughout last year’s training camp, the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year wouldn’t feature until Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Just four games later, though, the three-time Pro Bowler suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury, which ended his season. He finished with just 202 yards from 50 attempts.
As a result of McCaffrey’s injury, Guerendo, who was drafted by San Francisco in the fourth-round of the 2024 draft – 129th overall – saw the field a lot more than he had perhaps anticipated prior to the start of his rookie season.
Nonetheless, he made the most of his opportunity to perform on an NFL field for the very first time, and rushed for 420 yards and four touchdowns from 84 attempts.
Purdy has shone even with an injury-ridden offense
With wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still rehabilitating a torn ACL suffered last season, and Deebo Samuel no longer on the team after being traded to the Washington Commanders in the off-season, the Niners may have no choice but to rely predominantly on the run game.
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Guerendo detailed all about CMC and PurdyCredit: talkSPORT/KerrieJacobs-Bryant
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McCaffrey looks fit and firing in training campCredit: Getty
This comes as Purdy has limited receiving weapons at his disposal with Jauan Jennings also out with injury, leaving tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who has featured in just 11 games so far in his early NFL career after being the victim of a shocking shooting prior to the start of his own rookie campaign, as his top targets.
Nonetheless, Guerendo is a big believer in Purdy’s ability to distribute the ball to whomever is waiting on the other end of it.
“Brock [Purdy] is amazing,” Guerendo said exclusively to talkSPORT. “The biggest thing about him with you know how young he is and his knowledge of the game, it’s insane honestly.”
“To have him there [in the backfield] is amazing. It’s a great feeling. He’s a game-changer.
“His ability to make plays, his mindset in general with everything. His approach to every day in both practice and games is something that’s going to be a great in leadership.”
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Guerendo is hoping to have a breakout season in 2025Credit: Getty
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Mr Irrelevant has proven everybody wrongCredit: Getty
Since taking over the reins from an injured Jimmy Garoppolo as the primary signal caller midway through the 2022 season, Purdy hasn’t looked back.
In his first full season as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, Purdy threw for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also had just 11 interceptions.
That season, he also led the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII, though they would come out on the losing side against two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty in overtime.
Then known as Mr Irrelevant – the name given to the very last pick of the NFL Draft – Purdy is now very much known – and acknowledged – as Mr Relevant.
The 49ers organization also cemented their belief in the 25-year-old as their franchise quarterback by penning him to a five-year, $265 million extension.
This comes after still throwing for 3,864 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024, despite his receiving corps being significantly undermanned.
However, the 49ers have since brought in reinforcements after swinging a trade for Chiefs receiver Skyy Moore after Demarcus Robinson was suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the season for a substance-abuse policy violation.
San Francisco also swung a trade on Friday for former Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round draft pick.
In his three seasons with Washington, he recorded a total of 2,916 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging 56.8 yards a game.
This undoubtedly gives Purdy more options to target, and together with Guerendo and McCaffrey, who now has a chip on his shoulder after dropping from third to 73rd overall in ESPN’s Top 100 player rankings, the 49ers could really cause a storm, not just in the NFC, but in the league.
After all, every time the Niners have failed to reach the post-season, the next time they reach the playoffs, they usually go on to reach the Conference Championship game at the very minimum.
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