It's simple math for 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey: CMC equals MVP

A case for 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as the 2023 NFL Most Valuable Player.

Every season since 2013, a quarterback has won the award for NFL Most Valuable Player. Following the San Francisco 49ers' Week 4 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams offered some interesting words.

"'Hey, all them streaks come to an end eventually, right?' said Williams to NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan. "This might be the year. I can see it."

This was in reference, of course, to the four-touchdown performance from fellow Niners teammate, Christian McCaffrey, who could be a frontrunner for the 2023 NFL MVP award based on what he's done over the first four games of the season.

The last two non-quarterbacks to win the MVP were running backs, LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006 with the San Diego Chargers, and Adrian Peterson in 2012 with the Minnesota Vikings. In those years respectively, Tomlinson accumulated 2,323 total yards from scrimmage and 31 touchdowns, while Peterson put up 2,314 total yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns.

San Francisco acquired McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers just days before its Week 7 matchup versus the Kansas City Chiefs last year, and though the 49ers lost in CMC's debut, they have yet to lose a regular-season game since he switched coasts.

The 49ers' X-factor, known as 'CMC'

In fact, the Niners' only other recorded loss between then and now is their defeat in the 2022 NFC Championship game at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Injuries plagued this Super Bowl-hopeful juggernaut, namely quarterback Brock Purdy.

In the six games last season that McCaffrey played for his former team, Carolina, he recorded 85 carries for 343 yards and two scores. He also caught 33 receptions for 277 yards and another touchdown.

Fast-forward to this year with San Francisco, in only four games played, McCaffrey has 80 rushing attempts for 459 yards and six touchdowns. He has tallied 18 receptions (on 21 targets) for 141 yards and one more score, too.

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McCaffrey has proven to be a viable threat for the Niners in both the run game and passing attack. He is currently the league's leading rusher with 459 yards while being almost 100 yards ahead of the second-best mark, running back D'Andre Swift of Philadelphia for 364 yards.

The Standford Cardinal product has been a spectacular addition to the winning culture in San Francisco. Perhaps Williams' words are just as powerful as McCaffrey's presence on the field.

At his current pace, McCaffrey is poised to eclipse 2,400 total yards from scrimmage and about 30 touchdowns.

It's hard to argue the case against the 49ers' superstar MVP credits.

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