Just over three years ago, the San Francisco 49ers traded for running back Christian McCaffrey and altered the balance of power in the NFC West. 49ers general manager John Lynch sent the Carolina Panthers a second-round pick, third-round pick, fourth-round pick and a future fifth-rounder for McCaffrey, an addition that propelled the 49ers to two straight division titles, and two straight NFC Championship appearances.

McCaffrey's name was in the headlines as a potential trade target in the weeks leading up to that year's trade deadline. During a recent appearance on George Kittle's podcast, "Kittle Things," McCaffrey said when his agent called him on that fateful Thursday night, he thought he was being dealt to another NFC West team: the Los Angeles Rams .

Being traded to San F

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