Christian McCaffrey at 30 faces age doubts as 49ers’ Shanahan struggles

Christian McCaffrey’s 2026 season is already under the microscope after his rushing production dipped sharply, fueling fresh doubts about the San Francisco 49ers’ aging offense.

Christian McCaffrey’s yards per carry fell from 5.4 in 2023 to 3.9 in 2025, a slide that has 49ers analyst Grant Cohn calling the running game “bad.” The decline sets a worrying tone as the team gears up for a tough NFC West slate in 2026.

At 30 years old, McCaffrey isn’t the only veteran facing questions. Tight end George Kittle, 33, battled a torn Achilles in 2025, while receiver Mike Evans, also 33, saw his yardage drop by nearly 700 from 2024. Third-string wideout Christian Kirk, turning 30 this season, managed just 100 more yards despite five extra games in 2025.

Kyle Shanahan’s scheme has thrived on innovation, but Cohn argues it isn’t helping Brock Purdy. With an offense stacked with players over 30, the 49ers must prove they can outlast a brutal 18-week regular season and a month of playoffs without injuries derailing their title push.

The 49ers open training camp this month with McCaffrey, Purdy and Shanahan under pressure to silence critics. If the running game stays sluggish, the weight of expectations could fall even harder on the veteran core to defy Father Time.