49ers Christian McCaffrey named NFC’s final Offensive Player of the Month

Jan 11, 2024, 11:15 AM | Updated: 11:53 am

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 17: Christian McCaffrey #23 runs for a touchdown after hauling in a 41-yard pass from Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It wouldn’t be award season with another member of the 49ers winning one, and that Christian McCaffrey has done once more.

The San Francisco 49ers running back was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for December and January. In three games, McCaffrey racked up 695 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns.

And the craziest part: He didn’t play most of the second half of Week 17, and didn’t feature at all in Week 18.

McCaffrey, 27, has been the catalyst for the 49ers offense since being traded at last season’s deadline. In 27 contests, CMC has amassed 3,233 total yards and 31 total TDs. In 2023, McCaffrey crossed the 2,000 scrimmage yards mark for the first time since 2019. He also set a career-high in TDs this season (21)

The Colorado native was named both a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro from the NFLPA’s ballot.

Here's where #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey ranked in some key categories this season:

Scrimmage yards/game – 126.4 (1st)
Scrimmage TDs – 21 (T-1st)
Rush yards – 1,459 (1st)
Yards/rush – 5.4 (2nd, 1st among RBs)
Rush TDs – 14 (4th)
Receptions – 67 (3rd among RBs)
Receiving…

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 8, 2024

“He’s had the best year for an offensive player that I’ve been a part of,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan recently said about McCaffrey.

McCaffrey may be the best player on the 49ers, but he sure doesn’t act like it. Shanahan has raved about his running back’s work ethic since he got there, comparing it to that of an undrafted rookie trying to still take it in the NFL.

And 2023 had more history for CMC, winning his first NFL rushing title of his career. He finished the campaign with 1,459 ground yards, almost 300 more yards than the next closest RB. But when asked about being the first 49er to win the award since 1954, he shrugged it off.

“That’s awesome,” Christian McCaffrey said after the 49ers’ Week 18 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. “But it’s on to the next step.”

The RB is referring to the 49ers’ ultimate goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February. And with a first-round Bye in the postseason, SF could be heading to Las Vegas very soon.