2) Unlike last summer, Christian McCaffrey is set for training camp and set to be all systems go. Originally thought to be precautionary, McCaffrey missed camp last year with an Achilles and calf injury that extended to him missing the first eight games of the season. After finally getting back on the field, McCaffrey’s campaign concluded with a PCL injury. In total, he played only four games during a disastrous 2024 season. CMC has proclaimed himself healthy from his PCL and had no restrictions during offseason workouts. His health will remain a concern, though. It’s a given following the third season in his eight-year career in which he played seven games or less due to injury. The coming weeks will also be worth seeing if McCaffrey, 29, resembles his 2023 rushing champion self. Since he was traded from the Panthers — whom he’s slated to face for the first time in Week 12 — to the 49ers, McCaffrey has propelled San Francisco to a 23-8 record when he’s on the field. The Niners are 8-12 without him. Plain and simple, McCaffrey is one of the NFL’s elite when he’s healthful and so are the 49ers.
3) Finally, the 49ers were in line for a drama-less training camp. Then, reports surfaced that wide receiver Jauan Jennings was disenchanted with his contract — a two-year, $15.39 million pact signed in the spring of 2024. Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Fred Warner each worked out lengthy and lucrative new deals already, in a stark contrast from past offseasons when Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams (2024), Nick Bosa (2023) and Deebo Samuel (2022) had dilemmas dominate summer headlines. Just how large Jennings’ contract dismay looms over camp remains to be seen. Regardless, it illuminates an already existing concern for the 49ers: their wide receiver corps. Samuel was one of plenty notable departures for the team. The wideback’s trade to Washington coupled with Aiyuk’s recovery from a 2024 knee injury put the position in question. Jennings stepped up and into the WR1 role last season and will likely get tabbed as such again, but there’s now a wrinkle to those best laid plans. 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall has a big camp ahead and a larger role to take. After that, ex-Los Angeles Ram Demarcus Robinson, second-year wideout Jacob Cowing and rookies Jordan Watkins and Junior Bergen will be vying to make contributions.