LaFleur calls 49ers’ Mason-McCaffrey duo a ‘two-headed monster’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Matt LaFleur isn’t afraid to give credit where credit is due.

Before the 49ers’ trip to Lambeau Field on Sunday, the Green Bay Packers coach presented his flowers to San Francisco’s dynamic backfield duo.

While Christian McCaffrey had to sit out the first half of the 2024 NFL season, Jordan Mason had a breakthrough with 685 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 134 runs.

LaFleur has noticed this and recognizes the threat a McCaffrey-Mason backcourt poses to Green Bay.

“I was very impressed with Jordan Mason,” LaFleur told reporters Friday. “I think he is a really talented defender who is maximizing his opportunities. In my opinion, it’s a two-headed monster, so to speak.”

Although McCaffrey was coming off a 2023 season in which he led the league in yards from scrimmage and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the 28-year-old spent the first eight weeks of the season recovering from bilateral Achilles tendonitis.

Mason took advantage of the opportunity during McCaffrey’s absence, although he injured his shoulder in the first half of San Francisco’s win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 and the injury aggravated again in Week 8.

However, LaFleur admits that Mason’s rise is due to the effective coaching of Bobby Turner, who has served as the 49ers’ running backs coach since 2017.

“Really, whoever they’ve had over the course of their time (under) Bobby Turner (is) their long-time running backs coach,” LaFleur added. “I have as much respect for Coach T as anyone in this league.

“He always finds his diamonds in the rough and gets the most out of his back.”

Under Turner’s leadership, it’s no surprise to LaFleur that the 49ers are counting on more than one dangerous running back.

“Of course we all know Christian McCaffrey – his talent and what he has been able to produce over the years,” LaFleur concluded. “But it’s no surprise to me that they have several defensemen in their system that are capable of going out and playing at a high level.”

Now it’s up to LaFleur and Co. to find a way to contain the “two-headed monster” on Sunday – and it won’t be easy.

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