49ers' Christian McCaffrey Talks NFL MVP Award: 'Nothing Bigger Than the Super Bowl'

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is a finalist for the NFL MVP award that will be handed out on Thursday night, but his preference would be to leave Las Vegas this weekend with a Lombardi Trophy.

Speaking to NFL.com's Nick Shook on Wednesday, McCaffrey said the individual accolades "are great," but his experience this week has taught him "there's nothing bigger than the Super Bowl, and that's very true."

McCaffrey is one of two 49ers up for the MVP award, along with Brock Purdy. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is the overwhelming favorite to win the honor for the second time in his career.

This has been arguably the best season of McCaffrey's career. He led the NFL in rushing yards (1,459), touches (339), yards from scrimmage (2,023) and total touchdowns (21). He was named to the All-Pro first team for the second time in his career.

McCaffrey explained he "realized" how much bigger the Super Bowl is than the individual honors when the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams were announced.

"I'm extremely grateful for those, and I don't take them lightly, and I don't take them for granted, but to have an opportunity to play in the Super Bowl is the biggest thing on the planet, and I think it's what this whole game is about. So I think that's what's really special," he said.

Before being traded to the 49ers midway through the 2022 season, McCaffrey's only experience in the playoffs was in 2017 when he was a rookie. The Carolina Panthers lost to the New Orleans Saints, 31-26, in the NFC Wild Card game.

The 49ers lost in the NFC Championship Game last season. They cleared that hurdle this season and are one win away from winning their first Super Bowl since the 1994 season.

McCaffrey has been essential in San Francisco's playoff run so far. He's racked up 260 yards on 48 touches and four rushing touchdowns in two games.

The 49ers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.