CHARLOTTE — The Panthers made a move for the future late Thursday night, trading running back Christian McCaffrey to the 49ers, pending a physical.
For the Panthers, the move offers the opportunity to help in 2023 and beyond, adding draft inventory for the offseason as they look to build on a core of young players on defense.
McCaffrey, the 2017 first-round pick, was one of the league's brightest stars during his first three seasons. He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,392 in 2019, running for a career-best 1,387 yards and adding another 1,005 receiving that year. The following two years were more difficult, as he was limited to just 10 games in 2020 and 2021 because of a collection of injuries, but this year's production showed the kind of player he remains.
"Christian's focus and commitment to the game are rare," Panthers owner David Tepper said. "He is humble, takes nothing for granted, works extremely hard and has earned everything he has accomplished. I'm grateful for his contributions to the Panthers and wish him the best as he moves forward with his career."
The 26-year-old McCaffrey was off to a strong start this season, with 670 yards from scrimmage. That was fourth in the league through the first six weeks, trailing only Saquon Barkley (771), Tyreek Hill (719), and Nick Chubb (700).
The form McCaffrey showed through the first six games this season, when little was going according to plan around him, was enough to convince the 49ers to make a bold midseason move.
The Panthers currently have D'Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard, and Raheem Blackshear on the roster at running back, and just brought Spencer Brown back to the practice squad this week.
Christian McCaffrey tallied 7,272 scrimmage yards and 50 scrimmage touchdowns in six seasons with the Panthers.
Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018./
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey tries to jump over Joe Schobert during a game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football and breaks tackles against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey breaks free for a run against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey flips in the air after being tackled against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey breaks a tackle during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey makes a reception against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey stiff-arms Justin Evans during a game against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey stiff-arms a defender against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen celebrate a touchdown during the Panthers game against the 49ers on Sunday, Sep. 10, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen run out of the tunnel during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) and Cam Newton (1) celebrate after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey during a game during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, November 14, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football for a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Panthers against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Panthers against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown during the Panthers game against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey breaks a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey (22) and Ed Dickson (84) celebrate a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during the Panthers game against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2017.
