Running back Christian McCaffrey has a “chip on my shoulder” following his trade from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers last week. 

“I understand this is a business, but anytime somebody gets rid of you or something happens, you take it personally,” McCaffrey answered Thursday when asked if he was “pissed off” about being jettisoned by a Carolina team that supposedly isn’t tanking this fall, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “I’m so happy to be here, but yeah, absolutely [I am]. It’s part of the league. It happens to coaches, happens to players and it’s just more wood in the fire.”

McCaffrey seemed committed to the Panthers when he said shortly before the deal with the Niners was finalized that he planned to give “my all to this place” in reference to his then-employer. Carolina ultimately received second, third, and fourth-round draft picks in 2023 and a fifth-round selection in 2024 from San Francisco for the one-time First-Team All-Pro. 

“I don’t try to put exterior pressure on me,” McCaffrey added about the price the 49ers paid to land his services. “I wanna win for this team, I wanna win for these guys, and I want to win for the whole Bay Area because they gave up a lot to get me and I know that. So, it’s not extra pressure, but there’s definitely a sense of urgency on my plate that I wanna win.”

McCaffrey officially joined the 49ers on Oct. 21 but still managed to log 23 offensive snaps in last Sunday’s 44-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old recorded 38 yards on eight carries to go along with two catches for 24 yards in his San Francisco debut. 

The 3-4 49ers play at the 3-3 Los Angeles Rams this Sunday.