SEATTLE — San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey has officially won the 2026 Bart Starr Award. Announced on January 16, this honor recognizes the player who best exemplifies outstanding character, integrity, and leadership on the field and in the community. This specific recognition stands out because current NFL players vote to select the winner, making it one of the most respected player-led honors in the league.
Leading the Charge On and Off the Field
McCaffrey earned the award following a stellar 2025 regular season where he powered the 49ers’ offense with 1,202 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also dominated the air, hauling in 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven more scores. This production helped him finish the season with the second-most yards from scrimmage in the NFL. Beyond the numbers, his Christian McCaffrey Foundation provides critical resources for U.S. veterans through “23 and Troops” and supplies gaming consoles to children’s hospitals via “The Logan Project”.
The veteran back has now passed Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for the most career games with at least one rushing and one receiving touchdown. McCaffrey joins an elite group of Niners history, including 1998 winner Brent Jones and General Manager John Lynch, who won in 2007. He will officially receive the award on February 7, 2026, during the annual Super Bowl Breakfast in San Francisco.
“I’m humbled and very honored. It’s an awesome award, and I don’t take it lightly. I feel like the luckiest guy… I appreciate being recognized by my fellow players around the league.” — Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers Running Back
The announcement serves as a massive boost for the 49ers as they prepare for a high-stakes Divisional Round rematch tonight against the Seattle Seahawks. After grinding out a 23-19 Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco faces the #1 seeded Seahawks at Lumen Field. With the season series tied at 1-1, the 49ers must overcome the league’s top-ranked scoring defense without All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who remains out with an Achilles injury.
