San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) tries to get past the Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Christian McCaffrey went from a question mark to an exclamation point Thursday night when the 49ers’ running back was named the NFL’s Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year at honors night at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
The NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2023, McCaffery played just four games last season because of bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a PCL strain. He had just 348 yards from scrimmage (202 rushing, 146 passing) during a season that included a trip to Germany for treatment of the Achilles.
“Any time you come back from injuries it’s extremely tough,” McCaffrey said in accepting the award. “I’m so blessed to have the biggest support system on the planet. The trainers, the body work and maintenance staff worked with me non-stop this season.”
The 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan was one of five nominees for Coach of the Year, which went to New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel coached the Patriots to a 14-3 regular season record and AFC East title one year after finishing in last place at 4-13. New England faces the Seattle Seahawks Sunday in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium.
Heading into this season with questions about his durability, McCaffrey had a career-high 413 touches, played all 17 games and had 2,126 scrimmage yards (311 carries for 1,202 yards, 102 receptions for 924 yards). He had 17 total touchdowns after scoring none in 2024. The scrimmage yards were second to Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson (2,298 yards).
With McCaffrey leading the 49ers in both rushing and receiving, the 49ers went from 6-11 to 12-5, earned a wild card berth in the NFL playoffs. McCaffrey was also in the final five for the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards.
“This was one of the most special teams I’ve ever been a part of,” McCaffrey said. “You guys gave me inspiration every single day to keep going.”
McCaffrey was a comfortable winner, getting 31 of 50 first-place votes to nine for Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The rest of the top five was Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Buffalo wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
“Every one of those guys nominated knows they all deserve to be up here as well,” McCaffrey said. “I found a lot of inspiration through you guys throughout the year.”
McCaffrey was also among the candidates for Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, finishing second to Seattle wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba had 14 first place votes to 12 for McCaffrey.
During the program, McCaffrey was recognized as the NFL’s Salute to Service Award for his work with veterans and the military and was introduced by his father and former NFL player Ed McCaffrey.
McCaffrey is the third 49ers player to win the Comeback Player of the Year, joining defensive tackle Bryant Young (1999) and running back Garrison Hearst (2001).
Quarterback Matthew Stafford won the Most Valuable Player Award narrowly over New England quarterback Drake Maye, with Stafford getting 24 first-place votes to 23 for Maye.
A.P. awards are voted on by a 50-member media panel under a weighted point system, with a first-place vote worth 10 points and second through fifth getting five, three, two and one points.
Shanahan was fifth in the voting behind Vrabel, Jacksonville’s Liam Coen, Seattle coach Mike Macdonald and Chicago coach Ben Johnson. Shanahan did not receive a first-place vote.
Final voting is tabulated at the end of the regular season.
2025 A.P. NFL Award winners
Most Valuable Player: QB Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle
Defensive Player of the Year: DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland
Coach of the Year: Mike Vrabel, New England
Comeback Player of the Year: RB Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
Protector of the Year: G Joe Thuney, Chicago
Offensive Rookie of the Year: WR Teteiroa McMillan, Carolina
Defensive Rookie of the Year: LB Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland
Assistant Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels, New England
Salute to Service: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year: Bobby Wagner, Washington
Originally published at Jerry McDonald