Munich/San Francisco 49ers: The current NFL season is experiencing the first major commercial earthquake.
The Carolina Panthers are sending Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers, making them arguably the most valuable offensive player and face of the franchise. In return, they get four picks for the upcoming drafts. A second, third and fourth-round pick in 2023, and a fifth-round pick in 2024.
While one club gives up its only superstar, the other is gambling its “future”, it could be argued. But is that really the case? Rather, everything points to a win-win-win situation.
Carolina Panthers can restart
With a 1-5 record, the Panthers currently look like one of the worst teams in the league, again. Head coach Matt Rhule has already had to leave, and wide receiver Robbie Anderson was also traded. Resigning McCaffrey is a logical step toward rebuilding the Panthers and looking to the future.
In the upcoming draft alone, the Panthers currently have seven picks, all before the sixth round. Plus, without McCaffrey, there’s a good chance the Panthers could easily become the worst team in the league and secure the first pick.
The McCaffrey trade, the final consequence
With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a snippet awaits Sunday (from 6:30 p.m. live on ProSieben and ran.de). Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman will likely fill the void. Together they have had 17 carries for 76 yards.
At the same time, the club saves money. Lots of money. According to “Spotrac”, he has to swallow almost 26 million dollars of dead cap for a contract restructuring, but the expenses for the broker will finally leave from 2024.
The Panthers are also letting go of McCaffrey, a player who has missed 23 of 33 seasons in the past two seasons.
49ers: Super Bowl attack
In return, the 49ers get a player who was one of the league’s most prolific scorers in his first three seasons. The 26-year-old racked up 5,443 yards and 39 touchdowns in 48 games. But with his style of play comes his susceptibility to injury.
When asked if he would ever change that style of play, he told reporters last year: “No. I will always play at maximum speed.” McCaffrey proves it again this season. So far he has had 670 total yards and three touchdowns for the Panthers.
A complete offensive package that has the 49ers dreaming of the Super Bowl.
McCaffrey: A bargain in sheepskin?
Thanks to the Panthers, this package has an affordable price. This season, the 49ers will share the base salary of almost one million euros, and he will have a twelve-million contract for the next few seasons.
Draft picks expenses were more expensive. Since the injured Trey Lance is the first-round pick for 2023, the 49ers selected McCaffrey for the now instead of the future.
But even then, the 49ers didn’t act thoughtlessly. The Californians received a total of six compensatory third-round picks for the losses of coaches Robert Saleh (New York Jets) and Mike McDaniel (Miami Dolphins), as well as Martin Mayhew (Washington Commanders) of management. Until then, the 49ers will have to keep an eye on as nearly 100 players are no longer available.
49ers with league announcement
Therefore, the posters in San Francisco are more likely to be almost all-in. The NFC West is currently not shaking with any team above .500. Therefore, the trade for McCaffrey is also a warning to competition. The 49ers see potential for a championship season again and this time they don’t want to fail on offense.
San Francisco’s offense looks menacingly good
After this trade at the latest, the 49ers’ offense reads like a dream in Madden. Head coach Shanahan knows how to use running backs, and McCaffrey has one who is also a very capable receiver. Almost the counterpart of Deebo Samuel, who as an excellent receiver also contributes some rushing yards.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the coach and newcomer have already spoken and McCaffrey will be on his way to his new home immediately. It is “very likely” that he will already appear in red and gold on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs (starting at 22:20 hours live on ProSieben and ran.de).
At the same time, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will receive additional support. So far, the 30-year-old has played neither outstandingly nor badly. 1153 yards, seven touchdowns, but also three interceptions. These are not the numbers of a player of differences.
Garoppolo has proven time and time again in his career that he can handle games. With effective and consistent ground play, in all likelihood you can bring your strengths to the field even better.
McCaffrey can only win
However, only one can lose the minimum. “All I want is to win,” McCaffrey said after losing to the Los Angeles Rams on the final day of the game. He has already won with the trade.
The 49ers offer you significantly better chances of making the playoffs or even more. In addition, he finds a more stable quarterback situation in San Francisco and, thanks to the players around him, he will not have to do everything alone.
The trade gives the 26-year-old his best shot at a title so far. And even if the 49ers don’t want to make long-term plans with him, he would enter the free agency market in 2023 and be able to choose his new employer and probably still receive a decent salary at the age of 27.
McCaffrey’s health problem
Of course, many things hold and fall with McCaffrey’s state of health. San Francisco also knows its history. But now it looks like before.
So far he has completed 85 percent of all plays with the Panthers and has stayed fit. “McCaffrey is healthy,” Shanahan said after defeating the Panthers in Week 5. “And it looks the same as before. It’s a problem.”
Now the problem of Californians. And if he stays healthy, the 49ers can probably already be counted among the extended circle of titles.
McCaffrey wants to win, now he has the opportunity to do so.
