Is Christian McCaffrey a free agent? Exploring contract status of star running back

Christian McCaffrey joined the San Francisco 49ers midway through the 2022 regular season. The running back immediately took the Niners' offense to the next level as the team went on to reach the NFC Championship game.

However, fans are curious to learn whether McCaffrey will enter free agency this offseason. The confusion is because the 26-year-old played six games for the Carolina Panthers last season before moving to San Francisco.

According to reports from Spotrac, McCaffrey signed a four-year, $64,063,500 contract with the Carolina Panthers in April 2020. It included a $21,500,000 signing bonus with $38,162,500 guaranteed money. However, the Panthers traded the running back to the Niners in October 2022.

As things stand, McCaffrey will not be a free agent in the 2023 off-season. He will remain under contract with the Niners until 2026, but his base salary rockets skywards next season.

Reports suggest that McCaffrey is due $11,800,000 each in 2023 and 2024, and then $12,000,000 in 2025. All three years also include a hefty $200,000 workout bonus.

However, it is believed that the Niners and McCaffrey will work on restructuring his contract, which will help both parties.

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How did Christian McCaffrey fare in the 2022 NFL season?

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey had a solid season in 2022. The running back added 393 rushing yards, 277 receiving yards, three total touchdowns, and 670 scrimmage yards through six games with the Carolina Panthers.

He was then traded to the San Francisco 49ers and made his debut for the team in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He added 38 rushing yards and 24 receiving yards in the 44–23 loss to the eventual Super Bowl winners.

McCaffrey finished the regular season with 1,139 rushing yards on 244 attempts with eight touchdowns on the ground. He also added 741 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the air, helping the Niners clinch their divisional title.

The running back continued his impressive form in the postseason, adding 299 all-purpose yards and three total touchdowns. Kyle Shanahan's side were one win away from a Super Bowl appearance but the Niners suffered a crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game.