NFL Analyst Sparks Debate With Bold Kyren Williams Over Christian McCaffrey Take originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal has ignited a fresh round of running back debate, and this one’s sure to raise eyebrows for both Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers fans.
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During a recent episode of NFL Daily, Rosenthal made a surprising claim: he’d rather have Kyren Williams than Christian McCaffrey.
“I want to have some love for the consistent player,” Rosenthal said. “He played the most snaps last season, this shocked me, of anyone in the league. … I’d actually would rather have him than McCaffrey because I’d just rather have a guy I’d know is going to be there, even though that I know, at their peaks, McCaffrey is a better player”.
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It’s a bold statement, especially considering McCaffrey, in the 49ers’ Super Bowl run a couple of seasons ago, led the NFL in scrimmage yards and was named Offensive Player of the Year. But Rosenthal’s argument centers on availability, not just production.
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Williams, still just 25, logged back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and played more snaps than any other player in the league last year. After battling injuries early in his career, he became a workhorse for the Rams in 2024, finishing with 1,112 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and a career-high 34 receptions.
McCaffrey, meanwhile, has a longer resume, four seasons with over 1,500 scrimmage yards, but has also missed significant time in multiple years. At 29, he’s still elite, but Rosenthal’s point is clear: durability matters, especially at a position as punishing as running back.
The Rams are currently in talks with Williams on a contract extension, and Rosenthal’s comments only add fuel to the conversation about his long-term value.
Related: Kyren Williams Featured in Emotional Rams Video That Moves NFL Fans
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.