Christian McCaffreys desperate attempt to snag big money could leave 49ers holding the bag

Kyle Shanahan says Christian McCaffrey is dealing with tightness.There is no reason not to take the 49ers coach at his word.Shanahan has been emphatic about it, pushing back on speculation that McCaffrey’s extended absence from practice is actually a contract-related hold-in.He has even indicated that if this were the regular season, McCaffrey would probably be practicing.“People make a lot of assumptions, and that would be one that they’re wrong on,” Shanahan said earlier this week.Fair enough.But until McCaffrey actually gets back on the practice field, it’s difficult to completely dismiss another possibility.Maybe there really is a little more going on here.Not necessarily instead of the tightness.Perhaps in addition to it.Because if ever there were circumstances for a player to use a legitimate physical issue to subtly push a few contract buttons, McCaffrey suddenly finds himself in precisely that situation.And honestly, who could blame him?McCaffrey is 30 years old and coming off another tremendous season, running for 1,202 yards and catching 102 passes for 902 yards.

You wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that without McCaffrey in place last year, the 49ers have no chance of winning 12 regular-season games and advancing to the second round of the playoffs.He was their unquestioned engine.And at an age when NFL running backs typically begin fighting against diminishing leverage, he remains one of the league’s most productive and valuable offensive players.But he also understands the clock.There probably isn’t another massive payday waiting two or three years down the road.This might be it.McCaffrey may have one more opportunity to turn elite production into significant guaranteed money.And if protecting himself in August, while perhaps applying a little pressure to the 49ers in the process, is what it takes to maximize that opportunity, it’s completely understandable.Especially considering what has happened around him.Two years ago, McCaffrey sign...