Co-hosts of “49ers Talk,” Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan, discuss the standout performances of running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Deebo Samuel in the team’s Week 15 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Throughout his remarkable NFL career, Jerry Rice broke a number of records, but one of his greatest achievements could soon be surpassed by a 49ers player.
Just two touchdowns separate Christian McCaffrey’s 20 touchdown total from the 2023 NFL season from the 49ers single-season franchise record of 22, set by Jerry Rice in 1987.
During an interview on “The Warner House” podcast, 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner asked Rice if he wanted to see the record broken.
The storied wide receiver expressed his support for McCaffrey to surpass his touchdown threshold, expressing gratitude for the explosive addition the all-star running back makes to the 49ers’ attack.
“Yes—I think records are meant to be broken,” Rice responded to Warner. He is a multifaceted player that excels in all aspects of the game, including scrimmage, ball rushes, ball catches, and touchdown celebrations. When I visit a ballgame and find myself on the field, I always make it a point to approach the players and say hello.
It’s designed to break records. I consider myself really fortunate to have so many excellent players in my immediate vicinity, and I believe the same is true of [McCaffrey]. He is a down-to-earth guy who works extremely hard and is a complete ball player. So, everything is OK. I have a lot of records now, you know? Sharing a few of those records is fine with me.”
Rice owns almost every significant career receiving record in NFL history, including the most receiving touchdowns (197), receiving yards (22,895), and receptions (1,549) in addition to the 49ers’ single-season touchdown record.
The 49ers’ 45-29 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday gave McCaffrey a big help in his chase of running back Rice’s single-season record, as the All-Pro running back scored three touchdowns in the afternoon.
Following his spectacular performance in Arizona, Brock Purdy endorsed McCaffrey as MVP.
McCaffrey has at least one touchdown in all but two of the 14 games he has played this season. With three games left in the schedule, McCaffrey appears ready to surpass Rice’s illustrious record, which has stood for more than 35 years, and write his own name in the annals of history.
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