SANTA CLARA — Only one drive into the 49ers' 35-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Christian McCaffrey already had made history.
With touchdowns in 13 consecutive games, the All-Pro running back surpassed the franchise record previously held by Jerry Rice since 1987. But McCaffrey didn’t stop there. By halftime, he had racked up three touchdowns, and then finished the game with four trips into the end zone.
Left tackle Trent Williams sees McCaffrey every day, but he's still amazed by the running back’s production.
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“It’s a pleasant surprise every Sunday,” Williams said after the game. “He just never ceases to amaze me, hurdling a safety, standing on your feet, getting a [touchdown]. It’s just impressive.”
McCaffrey wasn’t just effective on the ground. The All-Pro finished the game with 177 all-purpose yards — 106 on the ground with three touchdowns and 71 in the air with another score.
Williams has found new joy in blocking for McCaffrey, whom the veteran left tackle says makes the job even easier by setting up his blocks well when running between the tackles. Williams knew his teammate was an accomplished ball carrier, but he admitted he didn’t know how good until McCaffrey joined the 49ers in Week 7 last season.
“I didn’t,” Williams said with a smile. “I ain’t going to lie. I watched him from afar for a long time. I knew he was really, really good and really special and could do a lot of things conventional running backs can’t do.
San Francisco 49ers
“But watching him play conventional running back, it’s like, 'Wow.' How can you be that talented in the open field, playing wide receiver and then line up in the I-formation and still continue to gash defenses? He’s a special player. He really is.”
Jake Brendel also has been impressed with McCaffrey’s ability to get down field. During the running back’s second touchdown of the day, the center made a key secondary block after fullback Kyle Juszczyk opened up space. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel ensured McCaffey made it into the end zone by clearing Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson out of the way.
“It’s awesome,” Brendel said. “I’ve never had more fun in football than this right now. He’s arguably the best scat-back in the league. You really can put him anywhere in the back field, wideout, he can play every position."
Even 49ers defenders take a break from what they're doing on the sideline to watch McCaffrey on the big screen during games. Since becoming a member of the 49ers this season, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave can't help but watch when McCaffrey has the ball in his hands.
"Man, we were laughing because it’s just different in person," Hargrave said. "I really wasn’t here last year, so I didn’t really know. He’s really nice like that, and it’s cool to see it up in person. He always makes the first person miss. There aren’t many backs like that can move like Christian."
With McCaffrey’s production through the first four weeks of the season, he is set to be in the 2023 NFL MVP conversation. There hasn't been a non-quarterback recipient in 11 seasons, when then-Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won it in 2012.
“All those streaks come to end eventually,” Williams said. “This might be the year. I could see it.”