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Panthers ‘swap running back Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco 49ers in exchange for picks’ in blockbuster for former eighth overall pick
- The Niners will send 2nd and 3rd round picks in 2023, as well as 4th rounders in 2023 and 2024 to the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey and his services
- McCaffrey’s contract with the Carolina Panthers ran through the 2025 season
- San Francisco Gained Trade After Carolina Seed The Rams As Partners
- With multiple RBs injured, San Francisco can now compete in the NFC West
- Click here for all your latest international sports news from DailyMail.com
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Now that the Carolina Panthers are well out of a position to enter the playoffs, they have decided to move their best player and the face of their franchise.
According to multiple reports, including from the Associated Press, the Panthers are trading Christian McCaffrey back to the San Francisco 49ers for multiple draft picks.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Panthers will receive the Niners’ second, third, and fourth rounds in the 2023 draft, as well as a fourth round in 2024.
McCaffrey’s current deal runs through the 2025 season, but he had an opt-out clause in his contract that came into effect at the end of this season. He would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. He returns to the Bay Area, where he played his college football at Stanford.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey moves to the Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers
Further reports state that the Panthers were also in serious discussions with the Rams, but they ultimately chose to go with San Francisco. They also said the bills were not being considered, despite speculation.
The 49ers will not have a first round pick in this year’s draft, having traded their Trey Lance trades for Trey Lance last year. The Rams also don’t have their first round pick after trading it to acquire Detroit’s Matthew Stafford.
This move marks an intent for both teams: For Carolina, it’s a clear sign that they’re entering a rebuild. For the 49ers, it’s a sign that they want to compete for the NFC West crown.
McCaffrey’s contract ran through the 2025 season, but he had a player option for this year
McCaffrey joins a talented group of playmakers in San Francisco that includes versatile receiver Deebo Samuel, star tight end George Kittle and receiver Brandon Aiyuk.
But the Niners (3-3) weren’t so strong in coming back with starter Elijah Mitchell with a knee injury. McCaffrey equips coach Kyle Shanahan with one of the best as a runner and receiver, adding another element to San Francisco’s offense.
McCaffrey has a salary of $990,000 this year after Carolina reworked his contract, easily fitting under the salary cap. He owes about $36 million over the next three years, but none of that is guaranteed.
With multiple injured running backs on IR, McCaffrey gives a much-needed boost to the 49ers
McCaffrey becomes the second skill player to be traded by the Panthers (1-5) this week since coach Matt Rhule was fired on Oct. 10. Carolina sent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday for two future picks.
The 26-year-old McCaffrey is considered one of the most versatile running backs in the league if he is healthy due to his ability as a runner, receiver and blocker.
He missed 23 games in the previous two seasons due to injuries, but played in all six games this season and is fourth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (607), despite playing for 32nd place in the league. He and Cleveland Browns turning back Nick Chubb are the only players in the league to have played five games this year with at least 100 yards from scrimmage.