'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgEEAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQFEQYSBxMhAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBBEAAgEFAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQRIUFC/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCfT+QoeGcvvMNbYhLiC3ztsXaabu0wkU6D7Q7I71SnyeTZ2ZZYVBJIX0L8FKUdrDEsr4Xz3fo1Te3M7xITIcljk90qiv/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It may be called the "offseason", but based on Christian McCaffrey's recent workout video, it doesn't seem like that's the case, at least for him.
According to OurSF49ers on Twitter, McCaffrey was spotted hitting the grind. In reaction to the video, San Francisco 49ers fans speculated that he quietly took a favorite in the upcoming quarterback competition between Brock Purdy and Trey Lance.
Here's a look at 49ers fans had to say, starting with a response from Justine:
Will Christian McCaffrey set a career record in 2023?
Christian McCaffrey prepares for first full season with San Francisco 49ers
It could be hard to believe at this point, but Christian McCaffrey still has yet to play his first full season with the San Francisco 49ers.
The 2022 season was the first time since 2019 that McCaffrey played in every game in a season. The running back, also hasn't played in all 16 or 17 games for a single team since 2019.
He will be hoping to build on what he accomplished in 2022, when he served as the shot in the arm the 49ers needed after scrambling through a shaky start to the season. Trey Lance was originally slated to begin his reign, but an early season-ending injury put that idea to bed.
In Lance's place came Jimmy Garoppolo, who reprised his starting role from the last several seasons. However, the team needed a boost and they elected to go with the Carolina Panthers' franchise running back.
In 11 games of action and 10 starts with Kyle Shanahan, McCaffrey rushed for 746 yards and six touchdowns.
If one adds in what he did for the Panthers that season, he eclipsed 1150 yards and eight touchdowns over the course of the season. That, too, was a recent career record going back to 2019.
With another year in the system and another year removed from his 2020 and 2021 injuries, McCaffrey will be hoping to take over games in 2023. He will also look to overtake his nearly 1400 yards and 15 touchdowns earned in 2019.
Fans are bracing for an offense that could run through the running back, assuming Brock Purdy or Trey Lance don't explode in 2023.
Even if they prove to have a strong ability to move the football through the air, both Lance and Purdy will be coming off injuries. The recent history of this would encourage Shanahan to lean more on the run game to minimize hits on his quarterbacks.
Will Christian McCaffrey set a career record in 2023?
