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The 49ers did not want to picture Christian McCaffrey in a Rams uniform so they made sure they were the ones to acquire the star running back. (John Locher / Associated Press)
Christian McCaffrey will play for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday — partly because the 49ers did not want the star running back to play for the Rams.
Jed York, the 49ers chief operating officer, last week told Bay Area reporters that although the cost of acquiring McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers in a 2022 trade was steep, the 49ers had to make the move.
The 49ers gave up second-, third- and fourth-round draft picks in the 2023 draft and a fifth-round pick this year. Coach Kyle Shanahan apparently needed convincing from York and general manager John Lynch that although McCaffrey was not a quarterback or pass rusher, the cost was worth it.
“And collectively,” York said, “it was, ‘Do you want him to go to L.A.? This is where we are.’”
The Rams, coming off a Super Bowl victory, were 3-3 at the time.
Read more: Steve Young explains how 49ers QB Brock Purdy can run off with Super Bowl title
Did McCaffrey think about playing for the Rams?
“I was trying to be just completely blank in the head because I didn’t want to have [to] predict, ‘This is where I’m going or this is where I’m getting traded,’” McCaffrey said this week as he prepared to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.
“It was such a hectic week. I mean, I was still on the Panthers, just listening to these trade rumors. And that’s kind of a weird head-space to be in.”
But did he envision playing in a Sean McVay offense with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford?
“I didn’t envision anything,” McCaffrey said. “I’m telling you, I was just mindless and I was like whenever I get the call, I get the call. And my agent called and said, ‘You’re going to San Fran.’
“I was like, ‘All right, let’s go.’ Got on a plane Friday morning, landed, did my physical…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-49ers-traded-christian-mccaffrey-113000133.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-02-09 11:30:00
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