Story byNicholas McGeeThu, January 22, 2026 at 2:46 PM UTC·2 min readChristian McCaffrey and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan have received recognition for their contributions to a remarkable 2025 season for San Francisco, with both named as finalists for awards that will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony during Super Bowl week. McCaffrey is a finalist in three categories, with the 49ers’ do-it-all running back up for the MVP award, Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThat follows a season in which McCaffrey racked up 2,126 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns despite often struggling on the ground, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. McCaffrey was once again devastatingly effective as a pass-catcher, and finished just 76 receiving yards shy of his second season with 1,000 yards as both a rusher and a receiver. The undisputed focal point of the 49er attack, there’s little doubt McCaffrey was the 49ers’ MVP, but he is unlikely to take home that honor, with Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye considered the frontrunners. McCaffrey similarly seems to be a long shot to win Offensive Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba the heavy favorite to claim that award. Instead, look for McCaffrey to likely be named Comeback Player of the Year, his exploits this season coming on the back of a 2024 campaign that was ruined by Achilles and knee issues. Shanahan, meanwhile, is unsurprisingly a finalist for Coach of the Year after guiding the 49ers to a 12-5 record amid another season of incredible adversity on the injury front. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt is an award Shanahan has yet to win despite his consistent success with the 49ers over the years.