Finalists for eight of The Associated Press' 2025 NFL awards were announced Thursday, with the San Francisco 49ers earning multiple league-wide recognitions following a productive season.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was named a finalist for three awards, Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year, and Comeback Player of the Year, while head coach Kyle Shanahan was selected as a finalist for AP Coach of the Year. Per AP's Josh Dubow, McCaffrey is the first player to be a finalist for three AP NFL awards in the same year.
Winners will be announced at the 15th annual NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 5, airing live at 6 p.m. PT on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+.
McCaffrey's Historic Season
McCaffrey delivered one of the most productive seasons in NFL history by a running back. After appearing in just four games during the 2024 season due to injury, he returned to lead the league with 413 total touches, powering San Francisco's run to the postseason.
In 2025, McCaffrey totaled 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 311 carries, 102 receptions for 924 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, and 2,126 yards from scrimmage, the second-most in franchise history.
His 413 touches set a new single-season franchise record, while his 102 receptions made him the first running back in NFL history with 100+ catches in three different seasons (2018, 2019, 2025). McCaffrey now owns three of the top five single-season reception totals by a running back in league history.
McCaffrey also became the first 49ers player since Hall of Famer Terrell Owens in 2002 to record at least 100 receptions in a season. His 924 receiving yards marked the second 900-yard receiving season of his career, making him one of just three running backs in NFL history to reach that mark twice.
Additionally, McCaffrey's 626 career receptions surpassed Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson for the third-most receptions by a running back in NFL history.
Shanahan's "Best Year"
Shanahan was named a finalist for AP Coach of the Year after guiding the 49ers to 12 regular-season wins and a berth in the NFC Divisional Round, despite season-ending injuries to multiple key players, including team captains Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.
Several players credited Shanahan's leadership and adaptability throughout the year.
"By far," offensive lineman Colton McKivitz said when asked if this was Shanahan's best coaching job, per ESPN. "The coach of the year shouldn't be a question. With what we've had as a team injury wise, all the roster changes and everything, everyone counted us out this year... For us to be where we are, it speaks volumes to the coach he is."
Quarterback Brock Purdy echoed that sentiment.
"He's a Hall of Fame coach," Purdy said. "Every single week he goes all in and gives everything he's got for this team, this organization, to make sure we're put in the right positions, and to go out and have a chance. Anytime we step out on the field with him as our playcaller, we're always going to have a chance."
