Four Questions: Kyle Shanahan and the Offseason
A Super Bowl loss is painful, but also represents an opportunity for assessment and change. Kyle Shanahan has had it his way since he took over in 2017. Only ownership can tell him no, offensive coordinator-head coach-actual GM with final personnel control, gets his own pick in the draft, and sets the roster blueprint for the team.
The organization needs to ask the question if Shanahan has too much power and provide an answer that respects what he has done well, and identifies what needs to change.
1. Should a second Super Bowl defeat lead to changes where Shanahan receives more help?
In my view yes. An internal assessment needs to be thorough in evaluating Shanahan and conclude with recommendations for tangible change, not lip service.
Shanahan is in no danger of being fired as head coach, nor should he. A new offensive coordinator may be necessary in the eyes of some, but it’s unrealistic.
What could happen is to follow the lead of the Baltimore Ravens, who recently hired a veteran coach to serve as a Game Manager Assistant to John Harbaugh.
The Niners would have an in-house candidate for the job, Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Anthony Lynn. A sounding board, someone to advocate for what the team needs beyond the best play call.
I don’t know what Lynn’s game-day role is now. The idea is this position has the backing of the organization to tell Shanahan no and give him a second opinion. As a former head coach, Lynn would have the necessary feel for what to say and when.
If you think this is an overreach, consider some glaring mistakes in big games. Shanahan not being aware of the new overtime rules was stunning. His explanation of “we wanted the ball third” incorrectly assumed KC would not go for two if need be.
Shanahan froze in last year’s NFC Championship when DeVonta Smith trapped the ball. 49er players were calling for a challenge flag to be thrown, the Eagles were rushing up to snap the ball, and Shanahan did…nothing.
Go back to the 2022 NFC Championship against the Rams and Deebo Samuel in his All-Pro season didn’t touch the ball for the final 12:42. The 2020 Super Bowl and late play calls did not factor in that the defense was gassed due to three and outs.
A Game Manager is necessary and has been for years. The Niners must improve situationally, this move at least creates the potential to improv.
2. Should Shanahan’s role in the draft and roster construction be revised?
Before the season began, I predicted the Niners would make the NFC title game but that even if they made the Super Bowl, they would lose due to not addressing the offensive line. At the time I also called for Shanahan to be stripped of final personnel control, he’s the real GM, John Lynch answers to Shanahan.
I knew the Niners wouldn’t do anything then, it was far too late in the off-season for a move like that. I said it then to set it up where we are now, a Super Bowl lost in part due to poor play on the offensive line. That needs to be laid at the feet of Shanahan.
His roster blueprint to save on the cap at the offensive line has failed.
I’ve written that if it were up to me before the draft I’d lock Shanahan in a broom closet with a cot, sandwiches, drinks, and a tv. That was said half-jokingly, but I emphasize the half part
The offensive line can no longer be ignored in the draft, particularly the upcoming one given the talent up front. The days of Shanahan getting his own draft pick have to end too. He’s no Walsh. His draft failure rate outside of Deebo is unacceptably high.
Shanahan will resist any loss of power, but failure carries a price.
3. What do you make of the rumors on social media that Brandon Aiyuk wants out?
I wouldn’t blame him at all. In this offense, his stats are limited, below what he could achieve as a featured no. 1 receiver. Aiyuk has the skills to be a superstar if he’s used that way. I’d want out too.
The Niners need to sit down with him soon. If Aiyuk says trade me, do it, get a 1st rounder or early 2nd, or package him with 31 and see what’s possible to move up. The Niners take a costly hit in competitiveness. They have to get younger and cheaper, this isn’t how best to do it. However, if Aiyuk wants out, in my opinion, he’s earned that.
4. What positions should the Niners consider with their first pick in the draft?
Defensive back, right guard, and right tackle. Wide receiver if Aiyuk leaves. Not edge. Why? If they use the first pick on defensive line it will be four drafts in eight years taking DL first. That leads to overinvestment in one position group and therefore overdependence. A championship roster needs more balance.
They bumped Deommodore Lenoir wide for the Super Bowl and barely played Ambry Thomas. Lenoir is best used as a weapon in the slot paired with a physical outside corner that can stop the run and finish on the blitz.
There is one great center and two excellent guards in the first. The right tackle group hits a cliff before the Niners pick at 31. A clear top five, a solid sixth, and then gambles.
I’ll take my first swing at the draft in the next column.
