Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers' running back, was once considered one of the worst running backs in the league in pass protection, according to his former running backs coach, Jake Peetz.
What happened?
Peetz, now the Seattle Seahawks' pass game coordinator, revealed that McCaffrey was among the league's worst in pass protection during the 2019 season.
McCaffrey has since improved his skills, becoming a dominant runner, receiver, and pass protector in the NFL.
Why it matters for Christian McCaffrey
In his first full season with the 49ers in 2023, McCaffrey helped the team achieve one of the best passing offenses, ranking fourth in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns.
Brock Purdy threw for 4280 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII.
What comes next?
Despite missing time during the 2024 season, McCaffrey returned to a strong performance in 2025, helping the 49ers record another strong passing offense, ranking fifth in passing yards and fourth in touchdowns.
The 49ers' pass protection allowed Purdy to connect with his receivers easily, with Brandon Aiyuk finishing the regular season with 1342 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2023.
Deebo Samuel grabbed 60 receptions for 892 yards, and George Kittle complemented them with 65 receptions for 1020 yards and 8 touchdowns.
In 2025, Kittle was limited to just 11 games, catching 57 receptions for 628 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Christian McCaffrey's improvement in pass protection has been crucial to the 49ers' success, and he continues to be one of the most dominant players in the league.
The 49ers' strong passing offense has been a key factor in their recent success, and McCaffrey's skills have been a major contributor to this.
Peetz's guidance has clearly had a positive impact on McCaffrey's development as a player.
As the 49ers look to continue their success, McCaffrey's pass protection skills will be essential to their offense.
With his improved skills, McCaffrey will be a key player for the 49ers in the upcoming season.
The team's ability to protect their quarterback will be crucial to their success, and McCaffrey's role in this will be vital.
McCaffrey's dominance on the field is a testament to his hard work and dedication to improving his skills.
No, he has become a great asset to the 49ers, and his pass protection skills are just one aspect of his game that makes him so valuable.
And with the 49ers' strong passing offense, they will be a team to watch in the upcoming season.
So, Christian McCaffrey's improvement in pass protection has been a key factor in the 49ers' success, and he will continue to be a dominant player in the league.