Christian McCaffrey Uses Midseason Trade as Motivation: ‘Just More Wood on the Fire’
Oct 28, 2022, 8:00 AM
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 23: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers standing on the sidelines looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
A midseason trade in any sport is two-fold.
On the one hand, the fans are excited because they’re getting a player that can help their team immediately (unless you’re the Chicago Bears). On the player’s side, it’s a bit of an out-of-body experience.
Focused on the task at hand one minute, you now have to uproot your entire life and travel to a new city, with a new team, and prepare for the game the same way you did before. Otherwise, the fans could turn on you, and the usual “bust” or “we overpaid” comes to mind.
The newest 49er, running back Christian McCaffrey, knows a little bit about this, being traded from the Carolina Panthers to the West Coast at the end of last week. Not the latter half, (simply because he’s never been a bust his entire life), but the former rings more true than fans realize. And while McCaffrey obviously has emotions regarding the move, he understands that the NFL is a business first, using it as motivation instead.
“I understand this is a business, but anytime someone gets rid of you or something happens, you take it personally. I’m so happy to be there, but it’s part of the league. It happens to coaches, happens to players. Just more wood on the fire,” McCaffrey said Thursday after practice.
Christian McCaffrey: "I got traded, so yeah, I've got a chip on my shoulder."
A reporter then asked Trent Williams if he can relate: "No, I can't relate. I wanted to get traded!"
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 27, 2022
Now using his former team as motivation, CMC shifts gears to his new team and the upcoming schedule.
Only featured in 21 snaps in the Week 7 loss to Kansas City, the running back still proved effective despite not knowing the playbook, posting 64 yards from scrimmage on 10 touches. Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated earlier in the week that Christian McCaffrey would have the full playbook at his disposal going forward, now working on his timing with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
They haven’t been together long, but Jimmy G sees why San Francisco spent all that draft capital, a real workhorse who sees the field differently.
“We’re trying to get as much time together as we can, just talking, trying to get on same page. He sees the field very similar to a quarterback,” Garoppolo said Thursday.
Those comments were relayed to Christian McCaffrey afterward, appreciating it but also understanding that he has a lot of work to do before Sunday.
“That’s a good compliment,” the running back said, smiling. “I try to. You’ve really got to think like them and try to be at the right spot at the right time.”
Week 8 may feel like dΓ©jΓ vu for the former Carolina Panther, facing the Los Angeles Rams for the second time this season. Coincidentally, McCaffrey last played the Rams before being traded to the 49ers prior to Week 7. During the Week 6 matchup,Β CMC posted 158 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches.
The Rams emerged victorious, however, 24-10.
The stats and individual accolades come second for the former Stanford tailback though. They’re nice to look at, but the only thing that matters is a win at the end of the day.
#49ers Christian McCaffreyβs IG post π pic.twitter.com/GFrLRIgMyq
— ππππππππ£ππ§π¨ (@TheSFNiners) October 28, 2022
What makes a win extra special you might ask? Doing it for a fanbase that already loves you, hoping he can turn the tide for the devoted Faithful.
“I don’t try to put exterior pressure on me. I want to win. I want to win for this team. I want to win for these guys. I want to win for the whole Bay Area,” he said. “[The 49ers] did give up a lot to get me, so there’s definitely a sense of urgency. I want to win.”
