49ers Aim to Reduce Christian McCaffrey's Workload with New Weapons

Addition of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk gives San Francisco more offensive options beyond relying on McCaffrey.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the action on the field.The 49ers' new offensive weapons will allow them to distribute the workload and take pressure off star running back Christian McCaffrey.Today in Tampa

The San Francisco 49ers heavily relied on running back Christian McCaffrey last season due to injuries to other key offensive players. However, the team has taken steps to reduce McCaffrey's workload by signing wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, providing more receiving threats for quarterback Brock Purdy. Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the need to lighten McCaffrey's load, and the 49ers believe the new additions will allow them to utilize the passing game more, taking pressure off their star running back.

Why it matters

McCaffrey's heavy usage last season, while necessary, is not a sustainable formula for the 49ers' offense. Reducing his workload will help keep the 29-year-old running back fresh and healthy for a full season, while also diversifying the 49ers' attack and making them less predictable for opposing defenses.

The details

The 49ers signed wide receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in the offseason to bolster their passing game. Evans, a dominant receiver, can win one-on-one matchups and perform well against tough defenses. Kirk provides a vertical threat that the 49ers' offense has lacked. With these new weapons, the 49ers can rely more on quarterback Brock Purdy's arm, rather than constantly handing the ball to McCaffrey. Ricky Pearsall is now positioned as the No. 2 receiver behind Evans, with Kirk and others rotating as the No. 3 option.

  • The 49ers signed Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in the 2026 offseason.
  • Last season, the 49ers heavily relied on Christian McCaffrey due to injuries to other key offensive players.

The players

Christian McCaffrey

The star running back for the San Francisco 49ers who carried a heavy workload last season due to injuries to other offensive players.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers who acknowledged the need to reduce McCaffrey's usage and is implementing a plan to do so.

Mike Evans

The wide receiver signed by the 49ers in the offseason to provide a dominant receiving threat and take pressure off McCaffrey.

Christian Kirk

The wide receiver signed by the 49ers in the offseason to provide a vertical threat and diversify the team's passing attack.

Brock Purdy

The 49ers' starting quarterback who will be able to utilize the team's new receiving weapons, reducing the need to rely solely on McCaffrey.

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What they’re saying

“I don't want Christian to have to take all that. It was amazing that he did and was able to do that. We went into the year wanting to take care of him a little bit more, but the way the offense went, and being more with the receivers and the injuries we had, it was hard to get him off, and it was cool to have him out there because he did help our offense so much.”

— Kyle Shanahan, Head Coach, San Francisco 49ers

What’s next

The 49ers will monitor McCaffrey's workload throughout the 2026 season and continue to find ways to reduce his usage, including relying more on the team's new receiving weapons and rotating in backup running backs.

The takeaway

By adding Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the 49ers have given themselves more offensive options beyond constantly feeding the ball to Christian McCaffrey. This should allow them to keep their star running back fresh and healthy for a full season, while also making their offense more dynamic and unpredictable for opposing defenses.