The Carolina Panthers have agreed to trade running back Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, as confirmed via Carolina’s official website and Twitter account. In return, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Panthers would receive four draft picks.
This McCaffrey trade is significant for the 49ers as it is their largest trade of the season. As per USA Today, this is also the biggest trade in the league since Tyreek Hill was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Miami Dolphins last spring.
Stunner: Panthers are trading Pro-Bowl RB Christian McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for draft picks, sources tell ESPN.
McCaffrey returns to the Bay Area, where he attended Stanford. pic.twitter.com/R474r3eSkv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2022
Trade exchange
Carolina will receive a second-, third-, and fourth-round pick in 2023, as well as a fifth-round pick in 2024, according to reports. Following the trade, D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard are expected to serve as the Panthers’ backup running backs.
Besides Foreman and Hubbard, the Panthers also currently have Raheem Blackshear on the RB roster and Spencer Brown, who was just brought back for training this week.
The trade ended McCaffrey’s six-year career with the Panthers. During his time with them, the 26-year-old player was the league’s fastest player with 3,000 receiving yards and 3,000 rushing yards. He was named to the Second Team All-Pro in 2018, and the First Team All-Pro in 2019.
Thank you, Run CMC. pic.twitter.com/tkKD8aByDa
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 21, 2022
After the trade was announced, the Panthers owner David Tepper issued a statement, thanking McCaffrey for his contributions thus far and wished him luck in his future endeavors.
“He is humble, takes nothing for granted, works extremely hard and has earned everything he has accomplished,” Tepper said.
McCaffrey expressed gratitude to the Panthers and their fans.
“I’m forever grateful for all of the people who have helped make these past 5 1/2 years so special for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Carolina, I will always love you #KeepPounding,” he tweeted on his official Twitter account, @CMC_22.
I’m forever grateful for all of the people who have helped make these past 5 1/2 years so special for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Carolina, I will always love you💙#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/0rBS8Ajhgy
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) October 21, 2022
McCaffrey arrived in San Francisco on Friday and is expected to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, he has also spoken with Kyle Shanahan, the head coach of the 49ers.
New #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, who has already spoken to coach Kyle Shanahan and team brass, travels tomorrow to his new home. If he plays Sunday, which he likely will do, expect a red zone package. Then he'll ramp up from there.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2022
Experts share their thoughts on McCaffrey trade
However, the trade appears to have sparked a variety of responses from experts. According to FanNation’s Schuyler Callihan, the Panthers’ decision to trade McCaffrey would only hurt them in their search for the next head coach.
“I disagree with the decision to trade McCaffrey as I believe it will somewhat hinder the search for the next head coach. That said, the Panthers get a nice haul of draft picks in return,” Callihan commented.
Another expert, FanNation’s Matt Alquiza, weighed in on the decision, claiming that it was the right move, especially given that the team is currently not competing.
“When you’re not competing, what’s the point of having CMC on the team,” Alquiza said.
Alquiza also claimed that McCaffrey is Carolina’s most prominent player at the moment. However, by the time the team turns more competitive, he expected McCaffrey would be 28 and probably in the latter stages of his career.
“The haul of picks is great, although not getting a first is a bit of a bummer,” Alquiza added. “It’s a solid deal in my book.”