Will Christian McCaffrey remain the highest-paid running back after his extension with the 49ers?

The 49ers made a wholly expected and logical move by acquiring McCaffrey. He was the best running back in the league last season and a serious MVP candidate.

Having him on the team adds an extra dimension to their attack, as he is also good at catching passes. Having such a player on the team is worth the investment.

The contract extension keeps CMC on the top

The San Francisco 49ers extended the contract of the NFL’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year for two years, for a total of $38 million. This new deal means he will be paid $19 million annually, confirming his position as the highest-paid running back in the league. In addition to the extra two years (2026 and 2027), the 49ers included an additional $8 million, compared to what McCaffrey was initially set to make in 2024 and 2025, and added $24 million in guarantees. Prior to this reworked deal, McCaffrey had two years left on the extension he signed with the Panthers.

He established his outstanding status through an extraordinary career performance with the San Francisco franchise. During his time with the team, he amassed 2,711 rushing yards and 1,241 receiving yards and scored a total of 39 touchdowns. McCaffrey, who will celebrate his 28th birthday on Friday, scored 21 touchdowns just in 2023, and the Niners firmly believe in his potential to sustain this remarkable level of play well into his 30s, justifiably so.

The highest-paid running backs in the league