NFL Exec Blames 'Kyle Shanahan's Late-Game Management' for 49ers' Losing Record

One NFL team executive believes the San Francisco 49ers' 5-6 record is partially a product of Kyle Shanahan's coaching.

"It's a combination of injuries and then Kyle Shanahan's late-game management, blowing all those leads earlier in the season," the executive said to The Athletic's Mike Sando. "They look tired, like Manti Te'o was saying before the season. They had a year like this before (in 2020). I want them to do well because I don't want to see them get another stud in the draft after a down year."

With Brandon Allen playing at quarterback for an injured Brock Purdy, the Niners lost decisively, 38-10, to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

For Shanahan and his staff, there's only so much they can do to scheme around the absences of Purdy, offensive tackle Trent Williams, defensive end Nick Bosa and others. But fans are, like the anonymous NFL exec, probably looking back now and lamenting some of San Francisco's earlier defeats.

The 49ers threw away a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. They were up 13 points on the Arizona Cardinals going into the fourth in Week 5 and lost. In Week 11, they let Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks march 80 yards down the field for a game-winning drive in the final minute.

Shanahan's success in San Francisco speaks for itself. He has guided the franchise to two Super Bowls and his eight playoff wins trail only George Seifert and Bill Walsh among 49ers coaches.

But the 44-year-old has long faced criticism over his handling of late-game situations. He was the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator when they couldn't protect their 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI. History repeated itself to a slightly lesser degree when the Kansas City Chiefs outscored the Niners 21-0 in the final frame of Super Bowl LIV.

To say Shanahan is on the hot seat would be a stretch. It's hard to envision the 49ers firing him after one bad season when they were in the NFC title game for the three years before that.

But the 2024 campaign might be further exposing the coach's flaws and highlighting other areas that need to be addressed in the offseason in order for the franchise to return to the contender ranks.