49ers' Christian McCaffrey Says He Took Trade from Panthers 'Personally'

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey told ESPN's Nick Wagoner he took the Carolina Panthers' trade of him last October "personally," adding that the move put "another chip on his shoulder."

"Obviously, I took it personally," McCaffrey said. "When you get traded, it's one team saying we don't value you as much anymore and so we're going to get rid of you.' That's how I took it and that's what it is but I know it's a business. Just another chip on my shoulder and here I am."

McCaffrey made his remarks amid a longer piece from Wagoner detailing the trade in its entirety. The Niners sent 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round picks and a 2024 fifth-round pick for McCaffrey on Oct. 20, ending his five-plus seasons with the Panthers, who selected him eighth overall in 2017.

McCaffrey dominated in 2018 and 2019 to the tune of 4,357 yards from scrimmage and 32 touchdowns. His 2,392 yards and 19 scores led the NFL in 2019. He signed a four-year, $64 million extension with Carolina in April 2020, keeping him under contract through 2025.

Injuries held him to just 10 games in 2020 and 2021, but he appeared to get back on track in 2022 with 670 total yards and three scores in his first six matchups.

However, the Panthers struggled off the bat, going 1-5 to start the year.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield never found his footing in Carolina and didn't get his job back after returning from a high-ankle sprain. Head coach Matt Rhule was fired after a 37-15 loss to San Francisco on Oct. 9. Wide receiver Robby Anderson was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 17.

The moves continued for Carolina as the team appeared to start a rebuild of sorts with the McCaffrey trade, but other core pieces (e.g. wide receiver D.J. Moore, linebacker Brian Burns, defensive lineman Derrick Brown) weren't moved.

Carolina's loss was San Francisco's gain. The 49ers have won 12 straight games with McCaffrey leading the backfield. The former Stanford star finished the regular season with 1,210 total yards and 10 touchdowns.

Now he's helping lead the 49ers in the playoffs, where they have won their first two games. San Francisco is set to visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in the NFC Championship Game.