Christian McCaffrey Will Be Traded to the Green Bay Packers

April 16, 2025

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers are set to jolt the NFC, finalizing a blockbuster trade to snag San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey for a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 third, sources told Yahoo Sports Wednesday. With Josh Jacobs’ holdout—demanding $18 million yearly—GM Brian Gutekunst went all-in to pair Jordan Love with an All-Pro running back.

San Francisco, burned by McCaffrey’s injury-riddled 2024, offloaded his $38 million, two-year deal to ease their $48 million cap crunch. Gutekunst, with $47 million in cap space, reworked Love’s $55 million hit to fit McCaffrey’s $14 million 2025 cap, eyeing a Super Bowl run (Spotrac).

McCaffrey’s 2024 flopped—202 yards, no rushing TDs in four games, hobbled by injuries (NFL.com). But his 2023? Electric: 1,727 rushing yards, 18 TDs, plus 716 receiving yards and 8 scores (SI.com). At 29, his 1,450 career carries spark durability concerns, yet his 5.4 yards per carry scream elite.

Jacobs, Green Bay’s 2024 workhorse, posted 1,200 yards and 10 TDs (projected, NFL.com). His power (4.66 40-dash) contrasts McCaffrey’s versatility, but Jacobs’ contract drama and average 4.2 yards per carry pale next to McCaffrey’s 2019 NFL-best 2,392 total yards (SI.com).

Packers fans roared online: “McCaffrey for Jacobs? Gutekunst’s a genius!” Green Bay’s 11th-ranked run game (130.5 yards/game, ESPN) gets a turbo boost—McCaffrey’s 8.7 yards per catch could shred defenses for Love’s 3,947-yard arm (SI.com). The Niners turn to Isaac Guerendo for youth.

Gutekunst’s coup echoes Philly’s Saquon Barkley gamble—36 minutes of possession in Super Bowl LIX (NFL.com). With Jacobs’ trade rumors—Cowboys and Chiefs sniffing—McCaffrey’s dual-threat knack (67 catches in 2023) gives Love a weapon Watson’s injury left missing.

The $14 million cap hit bites, but Gutekunst’s wizardry—trimming $5 million off Elgton Jenkins—makes it click (Spotrac). McCaffrey’s health is a red flag, but his 2023 PFF grade of 92.1 towers over Jacobs’ 88.4 (PFF.com). Vikings fans brace for trouble.

Two Lions showdowns loom—McCaffrey could be Gutekunst’s ace to crack Detroit’s wall. Packers Nation, rattled by Jacobs’ saga, now dreams of Love-to-McCaffrey magic. This trade might just be Green Bay’s ticket to the Super Bowl.