Questions 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Needs to Answer

After Kyle Shanahan lost his third Super Bowl, he essentially blamed his defensive coordinator while most of the media rallied to Shanahan's defense and argued why he wasn't responsible for this collapse.

Instead of defending the losing head coach, the media should ask him pertinent questions about why he lost. That's the media's job, not to be head coach's defense attorney.

Here are the top five questions Shanahan needs to answer about his latest Super Bowl embarrassment.

1. What happened to your run game?

You had the Offensive Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey, and you were facing a defense that gave up 4.5 yards per carry in the regular season, and yet McCaffrey managed to gain just 3.6 yards per carry against Kansas City in the Super Bowl. How could you fail to get him going against such a bad run defense? Explain that.

2. Where were your answers for the Chiefs' blitzes?

Steve Spagnuolo blitzed relentlessly and your offense gave up at least 10 unblocked pass rushers, including on the critical plays of the game. Why didn't you keep more players in the formation to block? Why were you so obsessed with putting all five eligible receivers in the pattern when your offensive line was getting overwhelmed all game? Explain that.

3. Why so many passes for Deebo Samuel?

Spagnuolo called mostly man-to-man coverage and you countered by calling 11 passes for Samuel, who can't beat man-to-man coverage. Why, Kyle? You should have called those passes for Brandon Aiyuk, who's an excellent route runner, but he got just six targets. Explain that.

4. What happened to the offense in the third quarter?

You were winning by 7, your defense intercepted Patrick Mahomes on the first possession of the third quarter, your offense got the ball in Chiefs territory and you called three straight passes and punted. Then you scored a whopping zero points in the third quarter and let the Chiefs back in the game. Why does your offense always fall apart in the second half of Super Bowls? Why do you always abandon the run? You called eight passes on the first nine plays of the third quarter. Explain that.

5. Why did you kick a field goal in overtime?

You had the ball at the Chiefs' 9-yard line. It was fourth and four. Your offense had converted a fourth and three earlier in the game. Why didn't you go for it this time? Why didn't you have confidence in Brock Purdy and your offense which had been so good all season? Why did you put the game in the hands of Steve Wilks only to fire him a few days later? Explain that.