Who Should I Start? Christian McCaffrey or Royce Freeman

Friday, January 30, 3:12 PM

After playing in just four games in 2024 due to injury, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey bounced back in a major way in 2025. The 29-year-old recorded 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns on a league-leading 413 touches across 17 games played. McCaffrey did not have his most efficient season as a rusher, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. However, he more than made up for it with his work as a receiver, hauling in 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven scores on 129 targets. In 2026, McCaffrey will be in his age-30 season and will be coming off a massive workload, which are both valid reasons for fantasy managers to be concerned. Still, as long as McCaffrey is on the field, he's proven to be an elite running back option for fantasy managers in PPR-scoring formats. Additionally, with tight end George Kittle (Achilles) set to miss time in 2026 and wide receiver Jauan Jennings hitting free agency, San Francisco could lean even more heavily on its star running back.

Monday, January 6, 9:21 PM

Chicago Bears running back Royce Freeman has been cut by the organization on Monday. Freeman joined the Bears practice squad in mid-December after being released by the Cleveland Browns in October. The veteran back has now been cut from the practice squad on Monday. Freeman never made it to the active roster for the Bears this season. He didn't have much of a chance to see reps with D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson getting a majority of the snaps in the backfield. Freeman will look to catch on elsewhere ahead of next season.