49ers RBs coach Turner notes CMC’s OTAs absence is ‘business part’

SANTA CLARA — Christian McCaffrey, a constant fixture during the 49ers' offseason program, was notably absent from the 49ers' Tuesday on-field OTA practice. But running backs coach Bobby Turner isn't worried about the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year's whereabouts, though, reading between the lines, might suggest that there is more to the story. "Physically," Turner told NBC Sports Bay Area. "Physically he's not here, but he's here in every other aspect. That's the business part, and I'm not getting into that." McCaffrey signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, giving him the highest annual salary for an NFL running back. The All-Pro's $11.8 million salary in 2024 still is one of the highest in the league at his position, but in comparison to his offensive counterparts, the Stanford product might find it, well ... offensive. Deebo Samuel is set to earn nearly $21 million in 2024 while Brandon Aiyuk will make $14.1 million. For the contributions that McCaffrey makes to the offense, it's understandable that the ball carrier would want more stability and a bigger paycheck. Yet, the NFL's running back market still is soft....