49ers' past OPOY winners give Christian McCaffrey lofty benchmark

The day that the 49er Faithful have been waiting for since the season started is finally here. 2023 Offensive Player of the Year award winner Christian McCaffrey will finally make his 2024 season debut, as the San Francisco 49ers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With McCaffrey winning the award last season, the 49ers are now tied for most OPOY awards in league history with six.

Winning the award also puts him in impressive company, with many of those past winners for the 49ers being Hall of Famers.

How have those past 49ers players performed in their debuts the following season after winning the award? Let's take a look.

Jerry Rice (1987 & 1993)

Considering wide receiver Jerry Rice is one of the greatest players in NFL history and arguably (pretty convincingly, though) the best receiver in league history, it's not surprising that he won the OPOY award twice in his career.

Rice captured the award in both 1987 and 1993. In the 1987 season, he set a then-record with 22 receiving touchdowns. In 1993 he had 1,503 receiving yards which would lead the league.

In his 1988 season debut, he had a very modest game against the New Orleans Saints with two receptions for 41 yards receiving. He also had two rushing attempts for 29 yards.

In his 1994 debut though Rice would have a much different game. In that bout with the then-Los Angeles Raiders, he had seven receptions, 169 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

The 49ers would route the Raiders 44-14 on the way to their fifth Super Bowl victory at the completion of that season.

Roger Craig (1988)

Running back Roger Craig would win the OPOY for the 1988 season. In that season he rushed for 1,502 yards and nine touchdowns.

In Craig's 1989 regular season debut in Week 1, he would dazzle the crowd by rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts. The 49ers would go on to win their second consecutive Super Bowl to end the 1989 season, and fourth overall.

Joe Montana (1989)

Quarterback Joe Montana is one of the best players in NFL history to play in his position. To quantify that, he won four Super Bowls with the 49ers.

He also won the OPOY award in 1989 along with the the regular season MVP, and a Super Bowl victory. Yes, it was a great season for him.

To start off the 1990 season, Montana would face the New Orleans Saints. He put up a stat line of 210 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Although he had a modest game to kick off 1990, the 49ers would leave New Orleans with a narrow 13-12 victory.

Steve Young (1992)

Quarterback Steve Young took over for the 49ers in the 1992 season, for long-time starter Montana.

Not only did Young show he could fill those big shoes left by the Hall of Famer Montana, but he would also win the regular season MVP and OPOY awards.

To kick off the 1993 season, Young would face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. He threw for 240 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

While the interceptions were high that game, the 49ers would sneak out with a 24-13 victory.

While past OPOY award winners have had slightly mixed results in their debuts the following season, look for MCaffrey to be involved regularly in the offense. Expect him to rush for around 65 yards and a touchdown, with three receptions for 30 yards.