SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers on Tuesday reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $19 million per season.
Under the deal, McCaffrey will remain with the team through the 2027 season and remain the NFL’s highest-paid running back, it was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCaffrey’s status has been enigmatic since he skipped all voluntary sessions ahead of mandatory camp. A year ago, McCaffrey was the pace and rhythm-setter for the 49ers as they worked to return quarterback Brock Purdy from elbow surgery.
McCaffrey, 27, was due to earn a salary of $11.8 million with a cap number of more than $16 million in a deal he signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2020 before the 49ers acquired him in October 2022. As the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year last season, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 yards rushing to go with 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns.
Neither McCaffrey nor wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is seeking an extension from his rookie deal, were seen on the practice field. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed McCaffrey was at the 49ers facility, but there was no information about Aiyuk.
If Aiyuk does not report to the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp, which is his final team event until training camp in late July, he could be fined roughly $101,000.
Defensive end Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams were also missing from the practice field.
McCaffrey was in line to become the 49ers’ fifth-highest-paid offensive player, behind Aiyuk (if he gets a contract extension), Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Williams.
McCaffrey and Bosa are players who are often cited by teammates and coaches for their dedication and work ethic. Coach Kyle Shanahan has previously said he is not concerned about McCaffrey not attending voluntary sessions and said the same thing when Bosa was present but did not participate in last year’s minicamp.
Aiyuk, 26, is to play under a fifth-year option worth a little more than $14 million. Bosa was under a fifth-year option a year ago and reported to mandatory minicamp, though he did not participate. Bosa eventually received a five-year, $170 million deal with $122.5 guaranteed that temporarily made him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback with an average of $34 million per year.
That figure was surpassed on Monday when Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson got a four-year, $140 million extension ($35 million on average) and is in Aiyuk’s position.
There are plenty of big-money contracts signed by wide receivers, including Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Philadelphia’s AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, whose average salaries range from $25 million to $30 million.
