49ers HC Expects Christian McCaffrey to Have a 'Hell of a Year' Despite Robinson Trade

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says he isn't expecting age-related decline from Christian McCaffrey as the running back heads into his age-29 campaign this fall.

Shanahan was asked at the 7:30 mark of Thursday's episode of KNBR's Dirty Work podcast whether the Niners plan to consider the general expectation that running backs decline in production near age 30 when deciding how much to give McCaffrey the ball next season.

"You take everything into account, but... I don't try to think in absolutes," Shanahan answered. "I try not to think of just numbers on papers. I know numbers go with percentages and everything, and that's why you listen and pay attention to a lot of analytics, but you also go with your own eyes and your experience of that.

"I like to watch a guy move, and how he is out there. And I see Christian looking the same as he has always looked. So, I don't really think about that number when it comes to that case."

Shanahan continued, "If he started looking different, then I'd probably start questioning some things, and then I'd probably look at how old he is, or look at that 30 thing. But Christian gives us no reason to think that.

"He came in healthy this year. He had a hell of an offseason. He's had a hell of a training camp, and I believe that's going to lead to a hell of a year."

The 49ers heavily leant on McCaffrey during his career-best 2023 season, during which he was on the field for 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps.

Given the Achilles issues that sidelined him for all but four games of the 2024 season, however, the Niners might consider limiting McCaffrey's workload during his ninth NFL season.

Shanahan said he hoped the 49ers' decision to trade for former Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. would give the team another option for when McCaffrey needed a rest this fall.

Shanahan compared Robinson's role to players like Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and Deebo Samuel Sr., who have taken some of McCaffrey's workload over the last few seasons in order to keep the 49ers star from getting worn down.

"Adding a guy like Brian helps so much more, because when we do get Christian out of there because he's tired... you're not so upset on all these players, because you got a guy coming in there who you shouldn't miss a beat on," Shanahan said.

The head coach added that Robinson and McCaffrey "have different skill sets and we are going to use them somewhat differently, but the one thing they have in common is they're both very good runners."

McCaffrey and Robinson are set to make their debut as teammates when the 49ers kick off the 2025 season on Sept. 7 on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.