SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey was present and accounted for Tuesday at the 49ers’ facility after reportedly agreeing to a two-year contract extension worth $19 million each season.
The deal, which will keep McCaffrey with the team through the 2027 season and keep him the NFL’s highest-paid running back, was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
McCaffrey’s status has been a mystery in that he missed all the voluntary sessions leading up to the mandatory camp. A year ago, McCaffrey was a pace- and tone-setter for the 49ers as they worked through quarterback Brock Purdy’s return from elbow surgery.
McCaffrey, 27, was scheduled to make $11.8 million in salary with a cap number of over $16 million on a deal negotiated in 2020 with the Carolina Panthers before the 49ers acquired him in October 2022. As the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year last season, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 yards rushing to go along with 564 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns.
Neither McCaffrey nor wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is seeking an extension from his rookie deal, was spotted on the field at practice. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed McCaffrey was at the 49ers’ facility but had no information regarding Aiyuk.
If Aiyuk does not report to the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp, their last team event until training camp in late July, he risks fines that could total approximately $101,000.
Also missing from the practice field were fellow stars Nick Bosa and Trent Williams.
McCaffrey was in line to be the 49ers’ fifth highest-paid offensive player, trailing Aiyuk (should he receive an extension), Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Trent Williams.
McCaffrey and Bosa are the players most often cited by teammates and coaches for their dedication and work ethic. Coach Kyle Shanahan said previously he’s not worried about McCaffrey missing the voluntary sessions and this is what he said when Bosa was present but didn’t participate in last year’s minicamp.
Aiyuk, 26, is scheduled to play under the fifth-year option of just over $14 million. Bosa was under a fifth-year option a year ago and reported to the mandatory minicamp although he didn’t participate. Bosa eventually landed a five-year, $170 million deal with $122.5 guaranteed that temporarily made him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback at an average per year of $34 million.
That figure was surpassed Monday when Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson received a four-year, $140 million extension (35 million average) and it just happens to be at Aiyuk’s position.
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There has been a glut of big-money contracts signed by wide receivers, including Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith that range between $25 million and $30 million in average salary.
Aiyuk has steadily increased his production and last season caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
More to come on this breaking story . . .
