Behind every victory, the spotlight often gravitates towards quarterbacks and receivers, leaving running backs like Christian McCaffrey in the shadows. The MVP race has been a distant dream for running backs since Adrian Peterson’s triumph in 2012.
Nevertheless, the 2023 season has been a historic chapter for McCaffrey, a player constantly including his name in the record books. As the league takes note of his remarkable achievements, his quarterback, Brock Purdy, steps forward to endorse him in the pursuit of the prestigious individual title, breaking the silence that has long surrounded running backs in the MVP conversation.
Brock Purdy endorses Christian McCaffery to win NFL MVP
In the lead-up to Week 15, the NFL MVP race was generating significant buzz, with the quarterbacks leading the discussion as co-favorites. Week 15 emerged as a pivotal moment in the MVP race, possibly favoring Purdy’s definitive control.
Nevertheless, following the 49ers’ resounding 45-29 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, which secured their second successive NFC West title, Purdy graciously validated his teammate McCaffrey.
Expressing his admiration, Purdy emphasized McCaffrey’s versatility and impact on every aspect of the game.
“I think Christian should be MVP. He does everything for us … and so in my eyes that’s an MVP.”
Purdy, a clear favorite in the MVP betting odds, threw four touchdowns in a triumphant homecoming, two of which connected with McCaffrey, who also contributed with a rushing score.
In Tom Brady’s eyes, in today’s mediocre NFL, where running backs often face challenges in securing significant pay, McCaffrey stands out as a unique player who transcends conventional roles. Despite the prevailing frustrations among running backs, including McCaffrey himself, his game-changing contributions make him more than just a running back.
Christian McCaffery’s performance this season
Christian McCaffrey’s 2023 season showcased his dual-threat prowess, amassing 459 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 80 carries, complemented by 141 receiving yards on 18 catches with an additional score.
His dynamic performance against the Cardinals not only solidified his league-leading status but also made him the first 49er in history to score the team’s first four touchdowns in a single game. It propelled him up the NFL MVP odds list.
The former Stanford standout has taken the NFL by storm, leading the league in yards from scrimmage with an impressive total of 600 after just four games. This remarkable feat places him in elite company, with only Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Emmitt Smith achieving at least 600 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in their first four games of a season.
In his two matchups against the Cardinals this season, the vet running back has amassed a staggering 364 scrimmage yards on 50 touches, accompanied by an impressive seven touchdowns. This touchdown tally is noteworthy as it tied the record for the most touchdowns by any player against a team in a season in the Super Bowl era.
Christian McCaffrey’s phenomenal season continues to break records within the 49ers franchise. With 17 total touchdowns, he equals the legendary Jerry Rice for the second-highest single-season touchdown count by a 49ers player.
Moreover, his 12 rushing touchdowns establish a new benchmark for a 49ers running back in a single season.
Since his standout performance on Thanksgiving night, Christian McCaffrey has continued to shine, accumulating an additional 286 yards from scrimmage. The significance of his impact is further highlighted by the inclusion of his game-worn gloves and cleats from the 49ers’ Thanksgiving victory against the Seahawks, now proudly displayed in the Hall of Fame’s “Pro Football Today Gallery.”
Do you also think that Christian McCaffrey should win the MVP title of this season?
