Christian McCaffrey on Panthers OC Joe Brady: ‘He’s such a unique mind’

McCaffrey probably won’t see 400+ touches in 2020, but he has good reason to feel positive about his future.

The Carolina Panthers made Christian McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in the NFL last week, signing him to a four-year, $64 million extension. Paying running backs in this era always raises eyebrows. However, it’s clear the team sees him as a unique kind of weapon and plan to build their offense around him.

Knowing that, the guy who can help McCaffrey live up to that deal more than anyone else is offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Speaking with the media in a Zoom call today, McCaffrey gave his new playcaller some high praise, saying he’s such a unique mind for offense.

McCaffrey probably won’t see 400+ touches in 2020, but he has good reason to feel positive about his future. A good augur of what lies ahead for McCaffrey is what Clyde Edwards-Helaire did last season for LSU.

While it certainly didn’t hurt his numbers to be playing with a lead so often, his production was undeniably impressive. Edwards-Helaire averaged 6.6 yards per carry in 2019, totaling 1,414 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. He was also frequently put to use as a receiver for Joe Burrow, posting 453 yards and another score on 55 catches.

Even better, some of the passing concepts that Brady dialed up for Edwards-Helaire play right into McCaffrey’s skillset. What’s even more encouraging is that Edwards-Helaire rarely had to run against stacked boxes. He did so on just 12% of his carries last year. A lot goes into that percentage, but you can give a significant amount of credit to Brady’s scheme, which featured a lot of four and five receiver sets. Those formations will force NFL defenses to spread out, opening up opportunities for No. 22.

Brady’s offense also featured a lot of two-running back sets. If the Panthers decide to draft one, Edwards-Helaire would make the best fit.

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