For one former NFL player, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is overcomplicating things with his play-calling.
The 49ers fell to 2-3 after a disappointing 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, and now face a tough challenge against the Seattle Seahawks. On Wednesday, FS1 analyst Emmanuel Acho criticized Shanahan’s approach.
“It’s like Kyle Shanahan is coaching as if he’s trying to impress his dad in the stands,” Acho said. “He’s like a guy playing basketball in front of his ex, dribbling too hard just to get attention. Kyle Shanahan is calling plays like he’s trying to show off.”
These are strong words about a coach who has taken his team to two Super Bowls in the last five seasons. However, the 49ers have had some unexpected losses this year, including their defeat by the Cardinals.
Acho didn’t stop there, suggesting the team will continue to struggle unless Shanahan changes his approach.
“The 49ers are in trouble until Shanahan steps aside and lets the offense flow. Right now, he’s their biggest obstacle,” Acho said. “He’s the one holding this offense back. … Shanahan needs to get out of his own way immediately.”
49ers Offensive Rankings
What Acho means by Shanahan “showing off” isn’t entirely clear. While Shanahan may complicate his schemes, the 49ers offense is still performing at a respectable level despite their early-season woes.
According to TeamRankings.com, San Francisco ranks 10th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 25.2. Additionally, they’re second in both yards per game (407.4) and yards per play (6.3).
However, where the 49ers do deserve criticism is in the red zone. They are only converting touchdowns 40.9% of the time when they reach striking distance.
Turnovers have also been a major issue, as the team is averaging 1.6 turnovers per game, ranking 26th in the league.
Shanahan on Second-Half Collapse
In their loss to the Cardinals last Sunday, the 49ers collapsed in an unusual fashion. San Francisco held a 23-10 lead entering the fourth quarter but fell apart down the stretch.
The team’s final four drives ended with three turnovers and a failed fourth-down attempt, allowing the Cardinals to capitalize and complete their comeback.
After the game, Shanahan was asked about RB Jordan Mason missing a block that led to QB Brock Purdy’s final interception. Shanahan defended Mason, pointing out that he had to deal with two blitzers, and emphasized that the entire offense failed to execute in the fourth quarter.
“Yeah, I mentioned after the game that it’s not all on J.P. We all played a part in it. We had four possessions in the second half, three ended in turnovers, and one on downs. Blaming it on the last turnover is an easy way out, but that’s not the whole story,” Shanahan said on October 7.
