How Kyle Shanahan Can Grow This Offseason

Get with the times. It's a passing league.

Kyle Shanahan is a very good offensive coach, but not a Championship head coach. He still needs to evolve. Here are the top-three places he can start.

1. Embrace the passing game.

Get with the times. It's a passing league. Take the fullback off the field and play Jauan Jennings instead. Kyle Juszczyk doesn't do much anymore. He rarely gets the ball or makes the block that springs the big play. At this point in his career, he's window dressing. As opposed to Jennings, who would have been the Super Bowl MVP if the 49ers had won. Jennings is a devastating blocker and a good route runner who's big and makes contested catches. Use him more. Don't rank dead last in pass attempts again like last season.

2. Upgrade the right side of the offensive line.

It's been subpar since Shanahan has been the head coach, and he doesn't seem to mind, because he can simply call runs that go to the left behind Trent Williams. But the 49ers never will have a top-tier passing game with half an offensive line. If the 49ers want to throw the ball more than 30 times per game, they need a quality right tackle and a quality right guard, instead of what they have.

3. Trust your quarterback.

Let Brock Purdy call audibles and set the protections at the line of scrimmage. Empower him. Make him more than just a joystick for the coach. If the 49ers are going to embrace the passing game, they have to embrace Purdy and make him the center of the team.