George Kittle shares unforgettable moment when McCaffrey trade was revealed ahead of Panthers clash
Posted November 24, 2025
In October of 2022, the San Francisco 49ers made a bold move that no one saw coming, as they were able to pull off a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers to acquire superstar running back Christian McCaffrey.
The trade sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, as it signaled that the 49ers were serious about being a title contender in the NFC, bringing in arguably one of the best running backs in the league to add to an already talented offense, which also had one of the elite tight ends in the league in George Kittle.
George Kittle Reflects on Christian McCaffrey Trade
Ahead of the 49ers’ Week 12 matchup against the Panthers, Kittle was asked about the McCaffrey trade during media availability in the locker room on Saturday. The superstar tight end remembers the moment he heard about the trade quite clearly, with one of his closest friends letting him know he was now teammates with the Stanford product.
“I was playing video games with all my friends from back home and one of them said, ‘Hey, you just traded for Christian McCaffrey,'” Kittle said. “I was like, ‘Funny joke.’ And then they said, ‘No, look it up.’ I called him immediately, and he said I was the first person to call him before Kyle [Shanahan] and John [Lynch] did. … It was a fantastic moment for me. I was pretty excited.”
A few years later, the 49ers’ trading for McCaffrey has paid off, as he was able to take his game to another level after arriving in San Francisco, with the 2023 NFL season being the best season of the superstar running back’s professional career.
Although McCaffrey only played in four games during the following season due to injury, the running back’s performance in 2023 was remarkable, as he was virtually unstoppable on the football field, racking up 2023 yards from scrimmage and scoring 21 total touchdowns, which were both league-best totals.
McCaffrey looks back to form this season, as he’s leading the league in yards from scrimmage with 1,439 heading into Week 12. He’s also scored 11 touchdowns so far, six on the ground and five receiving.
Christian McCaffrey Opens Up on Panthers Trade to 49ers
With McCaffrey set to take on his old team on Monday Night Football, he reflected on getting traded to the 49ers and what it meant for him, via Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer.
“Getting traded to San Francisco has opened my eyes to so much,” McCaffrey said. “It was a massive blessing… But it was also a bittersweet moment for me at the time. I loved Charlotte. I loved Carolina… I loved my teammates. I was a captain on that team. And so it’s weird when you get traded in the middle of the year. But when I look back on my journey and what’s transpired since then, I can’t help but look back and just be so grateful for the opportunity to come to San Fran and also call this place home.”
It’ll be interesting to see if McCaffrey turns it up a notch when he faces the team that trades him, especially with the 49ers needing to keep racking up wins while competing in arguably the toughest division in the NFL this season in the NFC West.
Eagles Get Massive Injury Update on All-Pro OT Lane Johnson
All might not be lost when it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles and the latest injury to NFL All-Pro right offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
Multiple reports on Monday, November 17, said the 2-time Super Bowl champion could land on injured reserve and miss 4-6 weeks with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot suffered in a 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 11.
“Eagles five-time All-Pro OT Lane Johnson suffered a Lisfranc injury during Sunday night’s win over the Lions, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account. “It is not expected to be a season ending injury, but he could be headed to injured reserve.”
Johnson’s situation might not end up being that dire, which is music to the ears of the Eagles and their fans.
“Eagles didn’t place Lane Johnson on injured reserve today because he won’t need surgery and there’s a good chance he could return within four games after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his right foot on Sunday, NFL sources said,” The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane wrote on his official X account on November 22. “Original estimate before further testing indicated he could be out 4-6 weeks. If Johnson misses only three games he would be back for the Raiders game on Dec. 14.”
Eagles Hold Breath After Johnson Exits Game
Johnson left the game against the Lions and didn’t return, as did center Cam Jurgens. Johnson was replaced in the lineup by Fred Johnson.
Jurgens was placed in concussion protocol but was cleared to play in an NFC East Division game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.
Johnson, 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, is widely considered one of the greatest offensive linemen not just in Eagles history but in NFL history and a likely future Pro Football Hall of Famer. He is in his 13th season and signed a 1-year, $25 million contract extension this offseason which brought his career earnings to approximately $163.4 million.
“Really hope Eagles fans appreciate how good we have had it with Lane Johnson at RT for the last 12 years,” Eagles fan Philly PMC wrote on his official X account. “Elite tackle, and an absolute warrior. Doubt we see a tackle as good play for the Birds in a long time.”
Philly Offensive Line Beset by Injuries in 2025
Johnson’s injury underlined bigger injury issues the Eagles have dealt with all season on the offensive line when it comes to their 5 projected starters.
“Here’s an underrated Eagles storyline that could explain Philadelphia’s offensive struggles: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen and Lane Johnson have played every offensive snap in just ONE game this season,” Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote on his official X Account.
The Eagles are 8-2 and winners of 4 consecutive games. They’re also trying to win a second consecutive Super Bowl and third Super Bowl in the last decade.
“(Eagles) don’t technically have to activate Willie Lampkin or Myles Hinton yet so there was no need to place Johnson on injured reserve, unless he was definitely going to miss exactly four games and return in Week 16,” Dibona added. “But given Johnson’s age and injury history, the Eagles will likely take their time. They would rather opt for Johnson to take as long as needed for him to get healthy and hopefully contribute in the postseason.”
