There’s no contract drama lingering in the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason despite speculation that running back Christian McCaffrey is missing practice for contractual reasons.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio on Monday pondered whether McCaffrey’s “tightness” was a fake ailment designed to let him hold in while working on a new contract after the Detroit Lions paid Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons paid Bijan Robinson contracts worth north of $22 million annually. McCaffrey, who led the NFL in touches last season, is on a contract with no guaranteed money that averages $19 million per year.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport countered that speculation by reporting that McCaffrey is actually dealing with tightness and not holding in for a new contract. Rapoport indicated any contract talks earlier in the offseason between the 49ers and their star RB didn’t get far.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is actually dealing with tightness. pic.twitter.com/v1wtsEhyP4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2026
It’s not a surprise the 49ers are being extra cautious with McCaffrey on the injury front given how important he is to their team. That importance is also why McCaffrey might want a little extra money.
However, San Francisco has to be careful as McCaffrey enters his age 30 season with a history of missing massive chunks of the year after he leads the NFL in touches. He’s done so twice prior to last season and played a combined seven games in the two ensuing years.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if McCaffrey is out most of the rest of the preseason to gear up for the team’s Sept. 10 opener in Australia vs. the Los Angeles Rams. It also won’t be a surprise whenever he does return that he does so without a new deal.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Christian McCaffrey’s absence not contract-related per new report