Christian McCaffrey Surpasses Christian McCaffrey As NFL's Highest Paid RB

We've heard players talking about trying to be their best selves and competing against themselves. Well, Christian McCaffrey is taking that approach to a different level.

We're not talking about rushing yards or yards from scrimmage here.

We're talking money. Pay.

McCaffrey on Tuesday agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $38 million that raises his annual average salary to $19 million per season and makes him the highest paid running back in the NFL.

ESPN was first to report the new deal.

Christian McCaffrey plans on playing Sunday. (Credit: Getty Images)

McCaffrey Didn't NEED A New Deal

McCaffrey now surpasses the $16 million per year plateau the NFL's highest paid running back was on previously. That previous highest paid guy's name? 

Christian McCaffrey.

So McCaffrey's pay increase resets the running back market which he set previously in 2020. 

McCaffrey was under contract through the 2025 season, but the new deal keeps him tied to the 49ers through the 2027 season, when he'll be 31 years old.

This is what can happen when a player is crowned the NFL's offensive player of the year the previous season. McCaffrey didn't need a contract extension.

But the 49ers gave him one because he is a star earning his keep and the new deal avoids any awkward contract talks in the future. 

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey runs with the ball vs. the Detroit Lions in the 2024 NFC Championship football game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports)

(Kelley L Cox - USA TODAY Sports)

McCaffrey Had Amazing 2023

Last year, McCaffrey led the NFL in rushing with 1,459 yards, led the league in total yards from scrimmage with 2,023 yards, and led the NFL with 21 rushing and receiving touchdowns combined.

McCaffrey also led the NFL with 339 total touches and was voted to the All-Pro team.

So, yes, deserving.

And now comes the interesting part because no contract is done in a vacuum.

The 49ers are currently in the midst of a contract negotiation with receiver Brandon Aiyuk. He is about to enter the final year of his contract and wants an extension before the season begins.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 16: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Aiyuk Might Wonder About McCaffrey Deal

And while Aiyuk likely would never criticize a team rewarding a teammate, it is probably quite obvious to him and his representation that the 49ers are investing dollars elsewhere while negotiating with them.

The 49ers are also paying another player even though he's not in the final year of his deal. And they're paying another player while the narrative publicly is they have to save their pennies for an eventual Brock Purdy contract extension, which is likely to happen next year.

So Aiyuk might rightfully wonder, "what the heck?" 

Except that might not be his exact sentiment.

And getting back to the running back market which McCaffrey just set again: It's going to remain this way for a minute.

Just as McCaffrey's last contract stood the test of time, this extension might also do so.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara. (Getty Images)

Alvin Kamara Still Second-Highest Paid RB

That's because none of the veterans right behind McCaffrey are likely to pass him on an annual average basis barring a monster, monster season in 2024.

Indeed, Alvin Kamara is going to require a monster, monster season this year to keep from being a salary cap casualty candidate next offseason.

Kamara is the second-highest paid running back in the NFL on an annual average, at $14 million per season. His last contract year is 2025, when he's scheduled to make $22.4 million in base salary at 30 years old.

That whopping base salary seems a blessing, but it also gives the Saints the option to cut Kamara before March 22 of 2025 and save over $18 million in salary cap space.

That means Kamara needs to have a great year to simply insulate himself from even the conversation of making that salary cap move.

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 22: Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons carries the ball during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Youngsters Have To Perform

Other younger running backs, meanwhile, have to start delivering their best seasons to even threaten McCaffrey's annual average. 

Running backs such as Bijan Robinson in Atlanta or Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit have to play basically out of their minds the next couple of years to be in the McCaffrey contract orbit before their likely 2026 extension talks begin.