49ers Rumors: Christian McCaffrey Not Skipping OTAs for Contract-Related Reason

The absence of San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey from OTAs raised some eyebrows, but the situation reportedly isn't as dire as it seems.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, McCaffrey missing the start of voluntary offseason workouts "isn't due to his contract."

Florio went on to note that his report "doesn't mean [McCaffrey's] contract isn't or won't be an issue." He's set to make $11.8 million this season in the second-to-last year of the four-year, $64 million extension he signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. The 49ers acquired him during the 2022 season. There's also a $200,000 offseason workout bonus that he's jeopardizing by skipping OTAs.

McCaffrey is coming off a stellar 2023 campaign in which he was named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year and helped lead the 49ers to an appearance in Super Bowl LVIII, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Led the league with 1,459 rushing yards, 2,023 total yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns, 14 of which came on the ground.

As such an integral part of San Francisco's offense, it would be understandable if McCaffrey is hoping to receive a pay increase this offseason. Florio pointed out that 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel's deal has an average of nearly $24 million, double what McCaffrey is making.

It sounds like trouble could be brewing for the reigning NFC champions, as McCaffrey's contract isn't the only one the 49ers should address sooner rather than later. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has made it clear that he is hoping to receive a new contract this offseason and is also skipping OTAs, so San Francisco will have some work to do if it wants to keep its offensive stars happy.