In 2002, McCrary started all 16 games and made 22 catches for 96 yards and a career-high 3 touchdowns. Like last season, the season opener was McCrary's best offensive game in the year, as McCrary made 3 receptions for 30 yards in a 34–6 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 8. On November 17, McCrary scored on a 1-yard catch from Drew Brees in the tying touchdown drive that forced overtime against the San Francisco 49ers. San Diego won 20–17. McCrary's blocking helped running back LaDainian Tomlinson rush for 1,236 yards in the 2002 season, the first Charges player to do so since 1994.