The idea of a Super Bowl hangover may seem like a myth, but for 49ers fans, it feels all too real. For the second time following a loss in the championship game, San Francisco is enduring a season marred by injuries. The last time they missed the playoffs was in 2020, when they finished 6-10 after their first Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. Following another loss to Kansas City this past February, the 49ers are now 5-7 and sitting in last place in the NFC West.
Transitioning from a Super Bowl contender to a sub-.500 team is bound to spark frustration among fans. In the Bay Area, some are reportedly starting to question whether head coach Kyle Shanahan’s job is in jeopardy. General manager John Lynch, however, put those rumors to rest before they could gain traction. Speaking with NFL.com’s Kevin Patra, Lynch dismissed the speculation.
“The standard here is to win championships, and we’ve fallen short of that, I understand,” Lynch said. “But we have an excellent head coach, and the fact that people are talking about stuff like that, I do find it comical.”
Lynch emphasized that despite the team’s lack of a Super Bowl title, Shanahan has delivered consistent success. Under his leadership, the 49ers have won the NFC West four of the past five seasons, made three straight NFC Championship appearances, and reached the Super Bowl twice. While the struggles this season are disappointing, the idea of replacing Shanahan may be an overreaction.
Injuries have been a common factor in the team’s losing seasons. During their 6-10 campaign in 2020, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played just six games, leaving Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard to start most of the season. Starting running back Raheem Mostert played in only eight games, forcing backups Jeff Wilson and Jerick McKinnon to step in. Receivers Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Deebo Samuel missed a combined 21 games, while the defense was similarly decimated, losing Nick Bosa, Solomon Thomas, Richard Sherman, and others for extended periods.
This season has been no different. Aiyuk was lost to a season-ending injury after just seven games, Christian McCaffrey has been limited to four games due to two IR stints, and backup Jordan Mason is also out long-term. On defense, key players like Talanoa Hufanga, Charvarius Ward, and Javon Hargrave have missed significant time. Even special teams have been impacted, with kicker Jake Moody and punter Mitch Wishnowsky missing six games between them.
Lynch acknowledged the challenges but refused to make excuses. “I think we’ve been through a lot as a team — this current team — with a lot of stuff that has happened to members of our organization,” he said. “Injuries, tragic circumstances, ultimately those are just excuses. One thing I can tell you is: I’m proud of how this group has stuck together, had each other’s back. The other thing I can tell you is: the story’s not written yet. We’re still grinding, and we’re still playing.”
Despite their struggles, the 49ers aren’t entirely out of the playoff picture. At 11th in the NFC, they remain only two games behind the division-leading Seahawks. According to Next Gen Stats, San Francisco has a 10 percent chance of making the playoffs and a five percent chance of winning the division. The odds are long, but their season isn’t over yet.
Finally, Lynch pointed out an important truth: firing a head coach only makes sense if there’s a better replacement available. In Shanahan’s case, the opposite is true—most teams with an opening would jump at the chance to hire him.
For now, Shanahan’s job is secure. Lynch made it clear where the organization stands, stating, “We’re 100 percent behind Kyle and what he brings to our organization.” At this time, there’s no indication Shanahan’s seat is heating up.
