Christian McCaffrey gives ravings reviews of former Carolina Panthers Monday
Christian McCaffrey is elated to have Sam Darnold and Steve Wilks on the 49ers, hoping to build off of last season's success with familar faces.
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A lot has changed for 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey since this time last year.
The Stanford alum was traded back to the Bay Area from the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster trade midseason. Then McCaffrey helped San Francisco finish atop the NFC West, running, catching and throwing his way to a monster comeback season. His contributions continued in the playoffs, making it to the NFC Championship Game before quarterback Brock Purdy got hurt, and their Super Bowl dreams went up in smoke.
Despite the heartbreak only three months ago, “CMC” is excited to be back in the building with the Red & Gold, using a start from scratch approach to his first NFL offseason in the Bay.
“Yeah, definitely. Start from square one, as if it’s my first day and I don’t know anything,” Christian McCaffrey told the media Monday. “I’m just trying to learn as much as possible but yes, it’s nice to be able to start from square one….Not just learning the plays, but learning every single detail within the positions.”
Luckily he’ll have some familiar faces joining him at square one, with former Panthers’ QB Sam Darnold in the building.
While only sharing a year and a half together in Carolina, McCaffrey is very fond of Darnold and his work ethic, seeing the potential that made him a first-round pick in 2018. He spoke glowing of him at the pre-draft presser, citing characteristics that equate to a starting-level QB in the NFL.
#49ers RB Christian McCaffrey says Sam Darnold is great. He described him as a guy that can make any throw, is smart and pick things up quickly.
— Lindsey Pallares (@lindseylares) April 24, 2023
“Sam’s great. He can do everything, make any throw. He’s smart. He’s able to pick things up quickly and do his job, doesn’t play beyond [himself] and just does exactly what he’s told all the time. And then, adds a lot of flair to it too,” McCaffrey said. “But he’s another guy too, who’s just a gamer. And he’s tough as hell.”
CMC is also thrilled to have Steve Wilks as the Red & Gold’s new defensive coordinator this season. The former interim head coach will be taking over for DeMeco Ryans, leaving for the the head post with the Houston Texans.
A veteran voice in football, Wilks will be tasked with adding to the league’s best defense in 2022. Already getting good reviews from his captains, Wilks also has McCaffrey’s support from the other side of the ball.
“Coach Wilks is awesome,” McCaffrey stated. “You know, I can talk a lot about Coach and just the type of man he is. But it says a lot to see how all the Panthers players reacted to him, and then vouching for him to get the head [coach] job. That’s a testament to who he is, that explains a lot about the coaching. So, happy he’s on our side.”
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