Kyle Shanahan hints at who will be Christian McCaffrey's backup
The 49ers have a few options they can look at for Christian McCaffrey's primary backup in 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers have a decision to make at their backup running back spot in 2026. Brian Robinson Jr. left for the Atlanta Falcons, which leaves a role up for grabs behind Christian McCaffrey this season.
This job has been a revolving door of players of the past few seasons, but head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed to indicate his preference for the team's RB2: Jordan James. The 2025 fifth-round pick out of Oregon only played 17 offensive snaps in 2025 and didn't record a touch until the postseason blowout loss to the Seahawks (where he rushed six times for 28 yards), but Shanahan praised James for his development in the second-half of the season and noted that he could overtake some players on the depth chart this year. "Jordan James came on really strong at the end of last year, but he missed so much at the beginning, he kind of just missed his window to pass some other people up," Shanahan told reporters at the NFL owners' meeting Monday.
"I wish would have gotten him on the field more than I did. He needs to take the next step. " Kyle Shanahan talks about reducing Christian McCaffrey’s workload next season and is hopeful Jordan James can take that next step 🎥: @TracyFGSN pic.
twitter. com/fpCASmXbgW — Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 30, 2026 Shanahan didn't really tout any other running backs besides McCaffrey and James. He noted that Isaac Guerendo is a good piece, especially in the passing game, but added that Guerendo "just wasn't our second-best runner last year.