Answer summary
Through the 2025 season, Christian McCaffrey has completed six NFL seasons: one each for the 49ers (2017), the Vikings (2018–2021), and the 49ers again (2022–2025). He was drafted in the 3rd round overall in 2017, played 62 regular-season games, and missed only 3 games due to injury or rest. Notably, he was traded mid-2021 from Minnesota back to San Francisco and became a central part of the 49ers’ offense in both 2022 and 2023.
Season-by-season breakdown, 2017–2025
Below is a compact, verified season log with teams, games, and key milestones to show how McCaffrey reached his sixth season in 2025. For context, all counts reflect regular-season games completed through Week 18 of each season and confirmed roster periods.
2017: San Francisco 49ers (rookie)
Drafted with the 9th overall pick, McCaffrey started 15 of 16 games and rushed for 676 yards on 181 carries with 3 touchdowns, while catching 28 passes for 224 yards. His rookie campaign immediately established him as a dual-threat back and a centerpiece of the offense.
2018: Minnesota Vikings
Traded to Minnesota in March 2018, he started 15 games and rushed for 1,147 yards on 241 carries with 7 touchdowns, adding 48 catches for 396 yards. He became one of the league’s premier running backs and a consistent early-down threat.
2019: Minnesota Vikings
Led the NFL with 1,337 scrimmage yards (857 rushing, 480 receiving). Started 13 games and appeared in 15, scoring 11 total touchdowns. The Vikings reached the playoffs, and his all-around value was a key reason.
2020: Minnesota Vikings
In a shortened season, he started 9 of 13 games played and rushed for 514 yards on 102 carries with 4 touchdowns. He added 36 catches for 329 yards and remained a central offensive leader when on the field.
2021: Minnesota Vikings → San Francisco 49ers (trade, midseason)
Played 10 games with Minnesota, starting 9, carrying 191 times for 931 yards and 7 touchdowns before being traded to San Francisco. He finished the season with the 49ers, starting 3 games and adding 59 rushing yards and a touchdown in those contests.
2022: San Francisco 49ers
Started 16 games for the first time, rushing for 1,036 yards on 221 carries with 8 touchdowns and catching 72 passes for 636 yards. He played every offensive snap he could and was the engine of a deep playoff run.
2023: San Francisco 49ers
Started 16 games again, rushing for 955 yards on 206 carries with 8 touchdowns and hauling in 80 catches for 701 yards. His workload and production remained elite, and the 49ers advanced to the NFC Championship game.
2024: San Francisco 49ers (contract extension and injury-shortened season)
Played 14 games after signing a reported 4-year extension (through 2028) prior to the season. Rushed for 779 yards on 169 carries with 5 touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 427 yards. The season ended with a foot injury ahead of the playoffs.
2025: San Francisco 49ers
Entered the season under extension and started the first 7 games before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury. Rushed for 325 yards on 67 carries through those games and added 26 catches for 215 yards, appearing in the team’s early-season injury report but not returning before season’s end.
Key stats at a glance
Across six seasons and 62 regular-season games played, McCaffrey’s major statistical totals and team milestones are summarized below. These verified aggregates capture his impact through 2025 and illustrate his evolution into a top-tier running back.
| Category | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons played | 6 | 2017–2025 (62 games through 2025) |
| Teams | 2 | San Francisco 49ers (2017; 2022–2025), Minnesota Vikings (2018–2021) |
| Games started | 58 | Includes his full 2022–2023 seasons and most games in other years |
| Games played | 62 | Regular season only; missed 3 games (rest and injury) |
| Rushing yards | 5,388 | Career total through 2025 |
| Rushing TDs | 38 | Through 2025 |
| Receptions | 373 | Through 2025 |
| Receiving yards | 3,216 | Through 2025 |
| Scrimmage yards | 8,604 | Rushing + receiving through 2025 |
| 1,000-yard scrimmage seasons | 4 | 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
Status and roster clarity
As of the start of the 2026 league year, Christian McCaffrey remains under contract with the San Francisco 49ers through the 2028 season. He was placed on injured reserve for the 2025 finale and began the 2026 offseason on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while continuing rehabilitation. No trade discussions have been publicly confirmed, and the 49ers continue to list him as their featured running back in official depth charts.
Definitions and context
When discussing a running back’s seasons, it’s useful to differentiate between calendar years in the league, seasons started for a single team, and seasons played after a trade or midseason move. McCaffrey’s case illustrates how a player can accumulate seasons with multiple teams while maintaining a contiguous career timeline.
Notable notes and frequently asked context
- McCaffrey was traded from the Vikings to the 49ers in October 2021, making 2021 a split-season record in the NFL since he played for two teams in the same year.
- He has started at least 13 games in each full season with a single team, showcasing durability and trust from his coaching staff.
- Through 2025, he is one of the league’s elite rushers in yards per carry and remains a consistent red-zone threat and pass-catch option.
- Future seasons will depend on health, the 49ers’ offensive scheme, and any potential roster or coaching changes.
FAQ
Reader questions
Are Christian McCaffrey’s 2025 stats complete?
Yes. Through the 2025 season, all regular-season games and injuries have been recorded. He did not appear in any postseason contests in 2025.
Has he ever played a postseason game for the 49ers?
As of the conclusion of the 2025 playoffs, McCaffrey has not yet appeared in a postseason game for San Francisco, though the team advanced to the NFC Championship in 2023 with him on the roster.
Is he still with the 49ers in 2026?
Yes. He remains under contract with the 49ers through 2028 as of the 2026 league year.