Kyle Shanahan has showcased that he is a great head coach, one of the best in the NFL. Yet, for this 2024 NFL season, the San Francisco 49ers record of 6-8 showcases they may have reached their ceiling under him. With Shanahan, his time at the NFL level could be coming to a close after an uninspiring loss to the Miami Dolphins that has cost them a spot in the playoffs. The clock is ticking even faster until San Francisco finds a replacement.
With Shanahan, he has gotten the most out of game manager quarterbacks, and still had one of the more efficient offenses over the years in the NFL. Yet the offense without key players like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk has failed to adapt, showing a flaw under Shanahan. With not changing his ways and failing to adapt in games it is leading to Shanahan falling behind as a coach, and has led to the 49ers now missing the playoffs in four out of eight seasons with him as the head coach. It has been clear this season too that locker room issues are becoming evident. Whether it is De’Vondre Campbell walking off the field or Deebo Samuel going over and slapping kicker Jake Moody, turmoil is starting to happen under Shanahan. It is time for a change, and the change has to be significant for Shanahan to be replaced.
Luckily for San Francisco there is a Super Bowl winning head coach that could be pulled out of retirement in Bruce Arians.
With having a Super Bowl win, Arians would be able to come in and be heavily respected by the organization and players quickly. Arians would also bring his zero tolerance for outlandish actions to help get the 49ers back on track with a better culture. From 2013-2017, Arians was the Arizona Cardinals head coach, so the style of play in the NFC West is nothing new to him.
During Arians’ last head coaching job on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team during his tenure led the NFL in points scored (29.8 per game), passing yards (300.0 per game), passing touchdowns (118), completions (1,284), and passing first downs (755), ranked third in total yards (396.2 per game), fourth in first downs (22.9 per game), and seventh in sacks allowed (92). His coaching style has proven to provide well-rounded play from both sides of the ball, and with his leadership style it is one players want to play for.
With a franchise like the 49ers, it is one that won’t take long to turn around, and with Arians they would be right back in as Super Bowl contenders next season.
