Christian McCaffrey Reveals How Close He Was To Playing For The Los Angeles Rams

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Christian McCaffrey almost found himself wearing different colors during the 2022 NFL season.

The All-Pro running back revealed he believed the Carolina Panthers were about to trade him to the Los Angeles Rams.

Instead, the blockbuster deal sent him to the San Francisco 49ers.

“My agent called me at 11:15 p.m.,” McCaffrey recalled while speaking to teammate George Kittle last year. “I thought I was getting traded to the Rams.”

“He was like, ‘Look, dude, this is gonna happen.’”

The Panthers completed the trade on October 20, 2022, sending McCaffrey to San Francisco in exchange for four draft picks.

Christian McCaffrey’s Career Trajectory Changed After Unexpected Move To San Francisco

The surprise trade quickly transformed both McCaffrey’s career and the 49ers’ offense.

San Francisco immediately made him the centerpiece of Kyle Shanahan’s attack. McCaffrey helped lead the team to the NFC Championship Game during his first season.

One year later, he enjoyed the best campaign of his career.

McCaffrey won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after leading the league in scrimmage yards and total touchdowns. He also finished among the finalists for MVP.

The Rams had reportedly shown strong interest before the trade deadline. However, Carolina ultimately accepted San Francisco’s offer.

McCaffrey has since called the move one of the biggest blessings of his career.

His first season in Carolina ended with injuries and frustration. His time in San Francisco revived his status as one of football’s elite playmakers.

The veteran enters the 2026 season healthy after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. The 49ers hope he can return to his dominant form as they chase another Super Bowl appearance.

Looking back, McCaffrey came within one phone call of taking a very different path.

Instead, he landed with a division rival and reshaped the trajectory of his career.