Christian McCaffrey, widely regarded as one of the premier running backs of the last decade, continues to face scrutiny regarding his health and future performance after an offseason video raised doubts about his readiness. Known for his blend of rushing and receiving skills, McCaffrey’s agility, speed, and football intelligence have made him a standout player. However, after a challenging 2024 season affected by injuries, questions remain about his comeback prospects.
During the 2024 NFL campaign, McCaffrey missed the first eight games due to achilles tendonitis. Upon his return, he played only four games before sustaining a PCL sprain in a harsh weather game against the Buffalo Bills, which sidelined him for the rest of the season. This string of injuries has left fans and analysts closely watching for updates on his recovery and performance expectations for 2025.
Recent Footage Raises Doubts About McCaffrey’s Recovery Speed
On May 29, NFL analyst Jeff Mueller posted a video from a San Francisco 49ers practice session showing McCaffrey performing a cut while carrying the football. Despite McCaffrey’s participation, Mueller expressed concerns about the running back’s physical abilities, suggesting the footage indicated a loss of burst and lateral agility, factors crucial to McCaffrey’s playing style. Mueller compared McCaffrey’s movement unfavorably, noting the challenges ahead for him to endure a full NFL season.
“Many are talking about the concerns of how Christian McCaffrey looked today in videos. You can clearly tell he’s lost some burst, and shows the lateral agility of Cam Skattebo. I don’t know how he’ll make it through this season.” —Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT
This analysis sparked debate among NFL insiders and fans, leading to contrasting opinions about the significance of the video.
Former NFL Cornerback Defends McCaffrey’s Progress
Antonio Cromartie, former NFL cornerback, responded strongly to Mueller’s comments, dismissing the negative interpretations of the offseason video. He emphasized that it is premature to evaluate McCaffrey’s condition based on offseason footage, stating that recovery from injury requires time and gradual reintegration into full physical capability. Cromartie suggested that such early critiques mostly serve as clickbait rather than meaningful forecasts.
“Yall sound like some idiots. It’s the offseason. What will he look like in camp and thr 1st week. Coming off injury you have to work yourself back in. Anything for clicks bait.” —Antonio Cromartie, Former NFL Player
Assessing Christian McCaffrey’s Chances for a Strong NBA Comeback
Injuries have been a recurring hurdle throughout McCaffrey’s career, yet he has consistently managed to return to high-performance levels after each setback. Despite the severity of his 2024 injuries, many experts believe it is too soon to count him out or forecast a disappointing 2025 season. His skill set and prior resilience give hope for a competitive return.
Bet365 currently lists McCaffrey with favorable odds of +300 to win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2025, second only to Detroit Lions’ defensive standout Aidan Hutchinson, who holds the +200 odds. This betting pattern reflects ongoing optimism regarding McCaffrey’s potential to overcome his injury challenges and regain elite form.