Christian McCaffrey Wins 2026 Comeback Player of the Year

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been named the 2025-26 Comeback Player of the Year, a testament to his resilience and exceptional performance after missing most of the 2024 season due to injuries.

Why it matters

McCaffrey's achievement is particularly significant as he is the first running back to win the Comeback Player of the Year award since Garrison Hearst in 2001, underscoring the difficulty running backs face in returning to form after significant injuries. His win also suggests a growing recognition of the impact a dominant running back can have, even in a pass-heavy league.

The details

Following a stellar 2023 season where he was named Offensive Player of the Year and led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance, McCaffrey's 2024 season was marred by injuries, including Achilles tendonitis and a PCL sprain. He appeared in only four games that year, leading to a disappointing 6-11 record for San Francisco. However, McCaffrey's 2025 season was a remarkable turnaround, as he played in all 17 regular-season games, racking up 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries, while also adding 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven scores, surpassing 2,000 all-purpose yards for the third time in his career.

• McCaffrey suffered Achilles tendonitis and a PCL sprain in the 2024 season.
• McCaffrey played in only 4 games during the 2024 season.
• McCaffrey played in all 17 regular-season games in the 2025 season.