Christian McCaffrey's extension keeps 49ers' Super Bowl window wide open
The San Francisco 49ers should have at least a few more seasons where they have a realistic chance at winning the Super Bowl.
Extending All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey's contract may give the team more runway in their quest for a sixth Super Bowl.
The Niners extended McCaffrey after an incredible 2023 season. He had over 2,000 scrimmage yards with a league-high 1,459 rushing yards and 564 receiving yards. He was a deserved MVP finalist and won the AP's Offensive Player of the Year award.
His new contract now has him under team control through 2027.
This a huge deal for the Niners. They now have their most potent and dangerous offensive weapon under contract for a longer period of time. Keeping him in a Niners uniform for longer is a great thing and extends the team's championship window because the core of their offense will remain intact for a notably longer period of time.
Last season, it was clear McCaffrey provided a completely new skill set to the offense that head coach Kyle Shanahan had not previously had. The tailback's toughness and skill with the ball in his hands make him truly indispensable to the offense.
This is a huge deal for quarterback Brock Purdy, too, perhaps most of all. The offense works at its best when the onus is not on Purdy to win or lose the game. Keeping McCaffrey in red and gold means that there will be less pressure on Purdy since he will have one of the most talented offensive weapons in the game in the huddle.
Of course, we know McCaffrey will not be as effective as he was last year forever. He is about to turn 28 years old, and things do not get easier for running backs once they hit their 30s.
However, McCaffrey seems dedicated and skilled enough that he can still be a very effective player into his 30s even if he may not be as explosive as he once was.
No matter how you look at it, keeping McCaffrey around for longer is a good thing for San Francisco. He is a huge star for the team and figures to be a huge part of any potential Super Bowl it may win in the foreseeable future.