With Matt Eberflus’ tenure as head coach of the Chicago Bears seemingly coming to an end, fans in the Windy City are buzzing at the thought of landing one of the NFL’s top offensive minds.
Over in the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves underwhelming with a 5-5 record, including a dismal 1-3 in divisional play. Once considered a favorite for a Super Bowl run, the team’s underperformance has sparked rumors that head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch could be on the chopping block.
Back in September, Sports Illustrated’s Grant Cohn reported that Shanahan—often praised as an “offensive genius”—could face serious consequences if the Niners fail to win the championship this season.
> “It’s Super Bowl or bust, and if it’s bust, then heads will roll,” Cohn stated. “The Lynch and Shanahan regime is on the hot seat, and it’s hotter than ever. Ownership is frustrated with the spending spree this offseason. They’re going to want results.”
Bears Fans Eye Kyle Shanahan for Head Coach
The possibility of Shanahan becoming available has Chicago fans dreaming big.
NFL insider Benjamin Allbright noted on social media that Bears fans are reacting enthusiastically to the idea of Shanahan potentially replacing Eberflus. Considering Chicago’s offensive woes this season—they rank 28th in total offense—it’s no surprise that both fans and analysts are clamoring for change.
Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog compared Shanahan’s tenure in San Francisco to Andy Reid’s time in Philadelphia, suggesting Shanahan could replicate Reid’s second-act success with the Kansas City Chiefs.
> “If by some miracle Kyle Shanahan does become available,” wrote Irish Bears Network, “it’s the biggest slam dunk of a HC hire you could make. And if it’s true, #DaBears better be ready to put their best foot forward.”
Windy City Gridiron’s Erik Duerrwaechter echoed the sentiment, calling Shanahan “BY FAR” his top choice if he’s available.
Some fans are already creating mockups of Shanahan in Bears gear. But experts caution against getting too excited.
> “Unless Shanahan completely loses the locker room down the stretch, it is not reasonable to think CEO Jed York will even be tempted to make a change,” Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area wrote on November 19.
Shanahan’s Tenure in San Francisco
Shanahan’s resume includes an 8-4 playoff record, two Super Bowl appearances (2019 and 2023), and three NFC Championship Game appearances (2019, 2021, and 2022). Despite his accomplishments, the lack of a Super Bowl victory has frustrated some 49ers fans.
Financial Pressure on the 49ers
Cohn’s criticism of San Francisco’s spending habits isn’t without merit. Here are some of the team’s most notable recent deals (via Over the Cap):
Nick Bosa: Five-year, $170 million extension with $122.5 million guaranteed.
Christian McCaffrey: Two-year, $38 million extension.
Trent Williams: Three-year, $82.66 million deal with $48 million fully guaranteed and a $25.69 million signing bonus.
Brandon Aiyuk: Four-year, $120 million contract, with $76 million in guarantees ($45 million fully guaranteed at signing).
Deommodore Lenoir: Five-year, $92 million extension.
While these moves have bolstered the roster, they’ve also raised expectations. After extending both Shanahan and Lynch in 2023, it’s unlikely ownership will part ways with either unless the team’s performance completely collapses.
Tough Road Ahead for San Francisco
The 49ers’ schedule doesn’t offer much relief. Matchups against the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and divisional rivals like the Rams and Cardinals loom large. On December 8, they’ll face the Bears, adding another layer of intrigue to the season’s final stretch.
For Bears fans, it’s shaping up to be an exciting ride. Whether Shanahan becomes available or not, the call for a new direction is louder than ever.
