The San Francisco 49ers find themselves below .500, and one anonymous NFL executive believes head coach Kyle Shanahan deserves much of the blame.
In particular, the executive criticized Shanahan’s late-game decision-making as a key factor. Speaking to The Athletic’s Mike Sando, the exec outlined the team’s issues.
“It’s a combination of injuries and Kyle Shanahan’s late-game management, blowing all those leads earlier in the season,” the executive said. “They look tired, like Manti Te’o said before the season. They’ve had a year like this before (in 2020). I want them to do well because I don’t want to see them get another stud in the draft after a down year.”
San Francisco’s latest loss, a 38-10 blowout by the Green Bay Packers, wasn’t close enough for late-game decisions to play a role. Instead, injuries were the primary factor, as the exec suggested.
For the 49ers to turn their season around, they must get healthy and finish games stronger. Shanahan, however, can only directly address the latter.
Shanahan Addresses Costly Moment in Packers Loss
NFL games are often decided by a single score. The 49ers know this well, with six of their games in 2024 being decided within that margin. Their loss to the Packers, however, was a different story.
San Francisco was outplayed in all three phases of the game and struggled to maintain discipline. A particularly embarrassing moment came when the team was flagged for having 12 defenders on the field on consecutive plays.
While such penalties are rare, Shanahan explained why the first one should not have been called.
“The first one, they had 12 personnel, two tight ends in the huddle, which means we have base defense out,” Shanahan said. “They sent another receiver on the field to sub, which when they sub, they’re supposed to allow us to sub.
So as soon as they did that, we started to change our personnel, and then they rushed up to the line and snapped it. It was a strategic play by them, but one that I don’t feel should have been allowed. They didn’t give us time to sub on that, and that’s why I was upset.”
Shanahan admitted, however, that the second penalty was entirely on the coaching staff and players, noting they should have been prepared after seeing the Packers’ strategy once.
49ers Face Tough Test Against Bills
Following back-to-back losses, the 5-6 49ers face a daunting challenge: a primetime showdown with the 9-2 Buffalo Bills.
The matchup becomes even tougher as the Bills are coming off a BYE week. Playing in Orchard Park under the lights against a team riding a six-game winning streak is no easy task.
Throughout the week, Shanahan and 49ers fans will closely monitor key players like QB Brock Purdy, DE Nick Bosa, and CB Charvarius Ward. If San Francisco hopes to salvage its season, pulling off a major upset on Sunday night will be critical.
