San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey recently shared his thoughts on what makes the team so successful, highlighting the importance of the “mindset” that drives the team week after week. According to McCaffrey, the mentality in the 49ers’ locker room is just as important—if not more important—than the talent on the field, and it’s what sets them apart from other teams.
“What sets us apart is our mindset,” McCaffrey explained in a recent interview. “We have the right mentality to win, and that’s something you can’t teach. It’s what drives us every week. When everyone is on the same page, pushing toward the same goal, it creates a culture that’s hard to beat.”
McCaffrey, who has been a standout performer for the 49ers since joining the team, believes the culture within the organization has played a massive role in the team’s success. “It’s not just about the players. It’s about how we approach every single day. From practice to the game, we come with the right mentality, and that makes all the difference.”
The 49ers have been known for their strong team chemistry, and McCaffrey’s words reinforce how the mindset instilled by head coach Kyle Shanahan is pivotal in making this team so successful. While the roster is undoubtedly filled with talent, McCaffrey believes that their shared mentality and approach to football is the foundation for their dominance.
“We have a group of guys who are all bought into the system, who are willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed,” McCaffrey said. “That mentality starts at the top and trickles down. It’s about working together, staying focused, and executing the plan. That’s what separates the good teams from the great teams.”
As the 49ers continue to make a push for the playoffs, McCaffrey’s comments shed light on the intangibles that make this team special. With a focus on the mindset and culture, it’s clear that the 49ers’ success isn’t just about physical talent—it’s about how they think and how they approach every challenge they face.
“We know what we’re capable of,” McCaffrey concluded. “And it’s all about bringing that mentality every single week. That’s the key to continuing our success.”
Broncos HC Sean Payton Sounds Off on TE Evan Engram’s Failure to Launch
After signing tight end Evan Engram to a lucrative two-year contract this past spring, the Denver Broncos have yet to get a return on investment. Through the first four weeks, Engram has caught just eight passes for 62 yards.
The veteran tight end missed Week 3 with a back injury, so that skews the numbers slightly. Still, he’s on pace for just 34 receptions and 264 yards this season.
Obviously, Engram’s integration into Sean Payton’s offense hasn’t gone as planned, though there has been the setback of a pair of injuries. Nevertheless, Payton isn’t losing any sleep over it.
“I think a lot of it is the script. There are times where you definitely look to involve him, but we don’t come off a game like last week and then look at who got touches,” Payton said of Engram’s involvement. “We’re not playing the fantasy game. We’re trying to win.”
Fans can understand what Payton is saying, but let’s face it: Engram has failed to launch at the quarter pole of the season.
It would be one thing if Engram were a highly-touted draft pick, still new to the NFL, and finding his way. But this is his ninth NFL season, and he’s with his third club. He knows how the sausage gets made.
How much of Engram’s lack of impact has to do with the ankle injury he suffered in Week 1 and played through in Week 2, which was then compounded by the back injury that kept him out of Week 3? It’s hard to say, but just the fact that it caused him to miss a game means that the injury bug has limited his impact.
How much of Engram’s sputtering start has to do with quarterback Bo Nix’s uneven play this season? Probably quite a lot, honestly. But we saw things begin to trend upward for Engram in Week 4, as he received a season-high seven targets, catching four for 29 yards. Payton was trying to get Engram cooking.
The most important thing to Payton isn’t Engram’s stats; it’s the standings. But we know how cognizant the Broncos’ head coach is of feeding his key guys statistically, and that stretches back to all those years he spent with the New Orleans Saints.
“Sometimes, I can recall over the years, big wins against tough teams and maybe a player like [former Saints TE Jimmy] Graham or [former Saints WR] Mike Thomas didn’t [get many touches], and it’s not intentional. These guys are going to cloud [WR] Courtland [Sutton]. They’re going to put their best corner on him at times. Some of that is how that game unfolds.”
We’ve seen that happen already, where Sutton is receiving double-team attention. It was especially prevalent against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3, where Sutton only had one catch for six yards.
In those situations, Payton, Nix, and Engram have to make opponents pay when they “cloud” Sutton and keep a safety over the top. I include Payton because the only routes in which we’ve seen Engram targeted are either shallow crossers or dump-offs.
We haven’t seen Engram running routes downfield much, nor is his big body being used down the seam as a mismatch advantage. Everything has been underneath.
On one hand, I understand that Payton is trying to get Engram the ball on the run and in space, and see if he can use his speed and athleticism to pick up some yards after the catch. But on the other, does that have to be the only way Engram touches the ball?
The good news is that, up to this point, he’s been such a non-entity in the Broncos’ offense that it’s possible opponents are sleeping on him.
Sunday’s East Coast road tilt vs. the Philadelphia Eagles could present some prime opportunities to throw some Engram routes into the mix that opponents have yet to see. If the Broncos can get the run game going on the road, the play-action game could come alive, and Engram could be one of its biggest beneficiaries.
We know it’s not fantasy football, coach. But you’re paying Engram $11.5 million per year, for crying out loud. At some point, the Broncos need to see a contribution commensurate with his paycheck.