​Aug 13, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) watches warmups before a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. © David Gonzales-Imagn ImagesSan Francisco 49ers training camp is in full swing, but Christian McCaffrey has been missing in action. Officially, he’s nursing some “tightness,” but the team isn’t offering too many details, leaving just enough room for speculation.Since McCaffrey has missed more than a week of practice, some have wondered if his absence is actually related to something else. Specifically, some are starting to wonder whether the three-time First-Team All-Pro has been keeping an eye on the market-resetting contract extensions signed by Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson.While the 49ers have since put the kibosh on those rumors, one former NFL scout suggests the front office does need to proceed with caution when it comes to the 30-year-old’s future.Ex- NFL Scout Issues Christian McCaffrey Warning to 49ersFor now, McCaffrey is only signed through the 2027 season. It’s not unreasonable to think he could want a new deal, either in the form of a short extension or one that gives him a slight raise, placing him more in line with the NFL’s highest-paid running backs.After all, he did lead the NFL in touches a season ago, topping 2,000 yards from scrimmage in the process. He’s also the fifth-highest-paid RB in terms of annual average value, just behind Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley.Yet, even if the 49ers’ star running back wants a raise and/or an extension, former NFL scout John Middlekauff suggests that may not be a good idea. He stated his case on his “3 & Out” podcast.START PREPARING:PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator“Next year, his contract has no guaranteed money,” Middlekauff pointed out. “In the NFL, when you have no guaranteed money, it’s almost like an insurance policy for a team. [Expletive] goes great, we’ll figure out the contract extension, we’ll guarantee that contract. But if it goes bad, Peyton Manning got cut; that’s all I have to say.”As Middlekauff pointed out, even Hall of Famers like Manning get cut under certain circumstances. In other words, McCaffrey is not untouchable either, far-fetched as that might be.Middlekauff believes McCaffrey knows the leverage he has as the main component of coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. It’s not like this roster is built to win without him.“I never fault players for getting ugly with contracts,” Middlekauff said. “The Niners find themselves in these positions, where it’s like we paid all these guys and then they constantly need raises. Players have more juice now.“The Niners often find themselves in positions where their players have all the leverage. I do think that Christian McCaffrey’s like, ‘What are you gonna do, play without me? Good luck; you know you can’t, Kyle. You know you want to give me the ball every single play.’”BE THE G