“They’ve Been Through Some Sh*t Together”: 49ers Star Christian McCaffrey on Niners Locker Room Culture Being Set by 22 Veterans

From what is obvious, after a recent podcast appearance, Christian McCaffrey was more in shock about his trade from the Carolina Panthers than the rest of the NFL world. It is not easy for a player to transition from one team to another mid-season. However, his transition with the Niners went extremely smooth, owing to a very special group of players, according to CMC. He seems rather impressed by what met his eyes when he entered the Niners’ locker room.

The 26-year-old running back turned the grim October 20 night around by taking the center stage in the San Francisco 49ers offense, and almost taking them to a Super Bowl. And the moment he entered the 49ers locker room, there was one thing that he instantly noticed.

What made the journey so smooth for Christian McCaffrey?

Christian McCaffrey had the mental makeup to move on from his “Panther for Life” attitude. And he didn’t take too long to make a visible impact in the Red and Gold. Kyle Shanahan’s men went 10-1 after CMC joined. In one of his first few games, McCaffrey also pulled off a trifecta of touchdowns- receiving, rushing, and throwing a score in the same game.

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And it couldn’t have been possible without the team’s backing. “I came in the middle of the year. Not knowing what’s going on. I knew people, but I didn’t know people. But you can just tell. I think there are 22 guys from the super bowl team a few years ago who are still on the team. They had set a culture and a standard that had been there for a while,” McCaffrey told hosts Taylor Lewan and Will Compton on ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’ podcast on Tuesday.

And CMC couldn’t talk about the Niners’ locker room without bringing up its heart and soul, tight end George Kittle.

Kittle wasn’t the only Niner CMC brought up

It wasn’t easy for McCaffrey to instantly adjust and remain focused on the field after what he felt was an act of betrayal by the Panthers and GM Scott Fitterer. Carolina traded Christian to the 49ers in exchange for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round 2023 picks and one 2024 5th-round pick. However, CMC adapted quickly. And he had some help. Kittle called him as soon as the news of the trade reached the TE.

CMC also loved sharing the running back room with his fellow backfield Niners Kyle Juszczyk and Elijah Mitchell. Fred Warner and WR Deebo Samuel also came up in the team chemistry talks. “They’re so close, man. You can tell they have been through some s—t together,” McCaffrey said.

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The trade worked out for both parties in the end. The Panthers under Steve Wilks almost reached the playoffs and the Niners almost won the NFC. And if Mr Relevant Brock Purdy can stay healthy next season, Christian and Co will run it back all over.