Christian McCaffrey has, to this point, had no problem handling a tremendous workload as he has fueled a 4-0 start to the 2023 season by the 49ers.

McCaffrey has racked up 98 touches through four games, putting him on pace for 416 in 2023, which would be the most of his NFL career. He has shown no signs of wearing down and has been remarkably efficient, averaging 6.1 yards per touch, putting him on track to shatter the single-season scrimmage yards record set by Chris Johnson in 2009.

Concerns about the impact of such a high number of touches for a running back who has had problems staying healthy over the years will persist, but McCaffrey is taking inspiration from a 49ers great who had a well-earned reputation for durability.

Frank Gore is third on the list of all-time rushing leaders with 16,000 yards and, though he never had 400 touches in a season, displayed outstanding longevity in a career that saw him register at least 250 in 12 of 16 seasons as a pro.

Speaking to NBC Sports Bay Area this week, McCaffrey expressed a deep admiration for Gore and his ability to preserve his body while also playing with a physical style, a trait that the 49ers' potential MVP candidate has demonstrated consistently early in the campaign.

McCaffrey said of that skill: 

"It’s a combination of a lot. I think it’s a mindset, it’s having extremely good instincts, vision and it’s comfort in the offense too. You watch him [Gore], he’s good at not just taking big hits but I think when you watch him, he knows when to deliver big hits too and be the hammer, not the nail. He was such a great back for so long because of that. He had all of the intangibles but the instincts and the things that are hard to teach, he had all of those things."

Gore will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2026 and the point to which he was able to extend his career, combined with his nine 1,000-yard seasons (eight with San Francisco), will be the main argument for his enshrinement in Canton.

And his length of time at the top of the sport is a huge factor in why McCaffrey thinks so highly of Gore.

"I think just to do what he did for so long is unbelievable," added McCaffrey. That’s something that is tough to do. I just have so much respect for the way he did it and also his mindset as a runner. He had all the gifts you would want. The way he would finish runs, the way he would refuse to go down. It was fun watching him growing up. I was a kid when he was rolling."

McCaffrey is rolling right now as the focal point of a potent San Francisco offense. Having surpassed one 49ers legend in Jerry Rice by scoring in 13 consecutive games, including the postseason, for San Francisco, his ability to emulate Gore's success in staying on the field will be crucial to what looks set to be a special season ending with the ultimate prize.

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