October 21st 2024.
The 49ers faced a tough loss against the Chiefs on Sunday, and there were numerous reasons for their defeat. It's hard to even count them all. Of course, there were the three interceptions thrown by Brock Purdy and the failure of the Niners' defense to stop Patrick Mahomes on third down. And let's not forget the mismatched matchups that Kansas City had on both lines of scrimmage. However, amidst all of these factors, there was one issue that seems to have plagued the 49ers for years and shows no signs of improvement.
Sunday's game was a highly-anticipated one for the 49ers. It had been marked on their calendar since the schedule was released. It was a rematch of last season's heavyweight title match, with the reigning champs coming to town. While the stakes may not have been the same, this was far from being "just another game" for the Niners. However, despite the significance of this matchup, head coach Kyle Shanahan approached it the same way he approaches every game: playing not to lose. And as a result, the 49ers lost.
On the sidelines, Deebo Samuel was talking to Kyle Shanahan during the game against the New England Patriots. It was clear that this was a crucial moment in the 49ers' season. Many people have been talking about this game for weeks, and for good reason. But Shanahan seemed to treat it like any other game, playing conservatively and avoiding risks.
It's not the first time Shanahan has taken this approach, and it's an issue that has been known for longer than he has been the 49ers' head coach. Fixing this fundamental philosophy will be much harder than addressing any mistakes made by players like Purdy or Fred Warner in the game against the Chiefs.
Since I'm not privy to the inner workings of the team and the coaches' meetings, I try to give Shanahan and his staff the benefit of the doubt when it comes to play calling and strategy. But when it comes to situational football, the decisions are much more straightforward. In big moments like fourth downs, end-of-half situations, and two-point conversions, Shanahan almost always chooses the conservative option. It's a hallmark of his approach as an ideologue. He has a specific plan in mind for how he will win games, and more often than not, it has been successful since 2019. However, this confidence in his plan also comes with a deep aversion to risk.
Some coaches have a devil-may-care attitude and enjoy the strategic challenge of calling a game. But for Shanahan, it's more of an intellectual exercise. He wants to keep the "devils" at bay. This is evident in his disdain for tactics like faking a punt, as seen in the Chiefs' game when Andy Reid attempted one. Even though it failed, it showcased the aggressive mindset of the Chiefs, who are at the forefront of innovative strategies in the NFL. They play to win at all costs, and their foot is always on the gas pedal.
In contrast, Shanahan has never called for a fake punt in his entire coaching career. The one time it happened was when punter Mitch Wisnowsky made the decision on his own and successfully converted a first down. Shanahan has openly expressed his distaste for such tactics, stating that he wants to build a team that doesn't need to rely on trickery to win. He prefers to win by simply outplaying the other team on offense and defense. But Reid, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, doesn't share this sentiment. Isn't that interesting?
During a news conference in July, Shanahan spoke about his philosophy, saying he doesn't like to trick people into winning games. But it seems like it's not beneath Reid to do so. The contrasting attitudes of these two coaches raise some interesting questions. As the 49ers continue their season, it will be interesting to see if Shanahan's approach will continue to hold them back or if he will adopt a more aggressive mindset.
The 49ers' loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was a tough pill to swallow. There were a multitude of reasons for their defeat, too many to even count. It's almost trivial to mention this one, especially when compared to Brock Purdy's three interceptions, the defense's inability to stop Patrick Mahomes on third down, and the mismatch on both lines of scrimmage. However, it's a recurring issue that has plagued the 49ers for years and doesn't seem to be improving.
Sunday's game was highly anticipated, marked on the calendar as soon as the schedule was released. It was a rematch of last season's heavyweight title match, with the reigning champ coming to town. This was far from "just another game" for the 49ers. And yet, head coach Kyle Shanahan approached it like any other game, playing not to lose. And as a result, they lost.
Deebo Samuel of the 49ers was seen talking to coach Shanahan on the sidelines during the game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. There were a lot of expectations surrounding this game, with analysts predicting a potential knockout blow from the Chiefs. Travis Kelce even praised the 49ers' defense, while Mahomes talked about the challenge of facing Fred Warner. However, when it came down to it, the 49ers' performance was disappointing and left a lot to be desired.
It's easy to point out the mistakes made by individuals, such as Purdy's performance and Warner's struggles against Mahomes. But there's also a larger issue at play here. Shanahan's approach to the game has been a topic of discussion for some time now. And it's not just about this game, it's about his coaching philosophy in general. It's a fundamental issue that has been known for longer than Shanahan has been the head coach of the 49ers, and it's not an easy one to fix.
I'm not in the meeting rooms, so I try to give Shanahan and the coaches the benefit of the doubt when it comes to play-calling and strategy. However, when it comes to situational football, it's not as complicated. And in big moments, like fourth downs, end-of-half situations, and two-point conversions, Shanahan often chooses to play conservatively. It's a trademark move of someone who has a set plan in mind and is not willing to deviate from it. And for the most part, it has worked for the 49ers since 2019. But with that confidence in his plan comes a fear of taking risks.
Some coaches have a more carefree attitude and enjoy calling plays. But for Shanahan, it seems to be more of an intellectual exercise. He wants to avoid any potential mistakes. As a result, he would never make a bold move like Andy Reid did in the Chiefs' first possession on Sunday when he faked a punt. Even though it didn't work out, it showcased the aggression and willingness to take risks that the Chiefs, a team at the forefront of innovative strategies, possess. They play to win by any means necessary and never take their foot off the gas pedal.
When I say that Shanahan has never run a fake punt, I mean it literally. The only time a fake punt was attempted was when punter Mitch Wisnowsky took matters into his own hands and ran for a first down. Shanahan has openly expressed his disdain for such tactics, believing that a team should be able to win without resorting to trickery.
But for Reid, who is considered one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, it's not beneath him. Isn't that strange? Shanahan has also made it clear that he doesn't want to rely on trick plays to win games. He wants his team to be able to outplay their opponents on both offense and defense. But for Reid, it's just another tool in his arsenal.
Shanahan's comments about not wanting to "trick people" into winning and building a team that doesn't rely on such tactics are admirable. However, there's a fine line between being strategic and being too conservative. And in a league where taking risks and thinking outside the box can lead to success, Shanahan's reluctance to do so could ultimately hold the 49ers back.
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