The San Francisco 49ers need Christian McCaffrey back on the field.
His impact goes well beyond his actual numbers and what he can do.
It also takes plenty of pressure off everybody else around him.
That’s why, now that he’s healthy, Niners legend Joe Montana believes Brock Purdy will bounce back this season:
“Obviously Christian [McCaffrey] coming back is a huge plus for that offense,” Montana said. “[It] takes a lot of pressure off the quarterback, and I think [Purdy was] feeling the pressure where he felt like he had to do and contribute more instead of just going and doing what he’d done for his whole life and just be yourself. And we always have that tendency that we want to make the change and make it quick, and now we got to make something happen. And so I think he just got caught up in that, and I think you’ll see a different player coming up this year.”
The legendary quarterback has a valid point.
The only problem is that McCaffrey has always struggled with injuries, and with him getting older, that trend isn’t likely to change any time soon.
The Niners made a strong move by trading for Brian Robinson Jr., and the former Washington Commanders star gives them another solid insurance policy for if (when) McCaffrey is forced to watch from the sidelines.
As for Purdy, he will be under more pressure now than he’s ever been in his career.
He will no longer be the biggest bargain in the league, and as such, he will be expected to perform up to his hefty contract.
Purdy fared pretty well when he was surrounded by All-Pros, but not so much when his supporting cast took a hit.
Of course, that’s not to say that he’s not a good quarterback, and it’s only normal to see his numbers take a dip when the quality around him isn’t as good as it used to be.
But at the end of the day, this team is always expected to compete at the highest level, and there will be no room for excuses with a healthy McCaffrey.
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