Regarding positional importance in a Kyle Shanahan offense, running back ranks among the top. The 49ers running game has finished in the top ten in rushing yards and attempts in three of the last four seasons. It’s so essential that the 49ers went out and acquired all-pro running back Christian McCaffrey to give it a featured player at the position. That’s something Shanahan hasn’t had with the 49ers. So, how’s he going to manage the position in 2023?
Since Shanahan took the helm in 2017, the 49ers have primarily gone by committee at running back. In the first four seasons under Shanahan, the 49ers had at least two running backs with at least a quarter of the position group's rushing attempts.