When Trey Lance went down in the early season, the San Francisco 49ers figured they’d be fine. While he had his obvious limitations, they still had the experienced Jimmy Garoppolo, after all. When Garoppolo went down with an injury, leaving the 49ers to turn to Brock Purdy — the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — they were probably still going to be fine, but it was a stretch to assume they’d keep humming.
But anyone thinking the 49ers’ offensive ship would sink overlooked that Kyle Shanahan was the captain steering it. And, by now, it’s abundantly clear NFL’s best offensive mind can do everything for his quarterbacks.
(Also, it helps to have superstar weapons like George Kittle.)
YAC King 👑
📺: #SFvsSEA on @NFLonPrime
📱: NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh#ProBowlVote @gkittle46 pic.twitter.com/zVMH4Rnj5J— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 16, 2022
Through two games as San Francisco’s unquestioned starter, Purdy has thrown for four touchdowns and completed over 70 percent of his passes. While he’s not exactly lighting it up like Patrick Mahomes, he’s undoubtedly making more than enough quality plays with a loaded supporting cast around him.
It’s no wonder the 49ers were able to pace ahead of the Seattle Seahawks and the fourth-wall-breaking D.K. Metcalf seemingly rather easily in a 21-13 win to clinch the NFC West.
And the credit for getting a late-round rookie like Purdy comfortable in the middle of the season belongs to Shanahan — the ultimate provider of training wheels to NFL quarterbacks. Not that this is major news for the NFL’s gold standard in offensive play-calling, which I’m not even sure needs a quarterback to win games at this point.
As the 49ers’ red and gold machine continues to roll along with its third-string quarterback, the NFL world poured in praise for Shanahan’s latest growing offensive masterclass.
NFL fans had nothing but praise for Shanahan's work to get Purdy comfortable in the 49ers' offense
Kyle Shanahan is bumper lanes for quarterbacks.
— Derrik Klassen (@QBKlass) December 16, 2022
Brock Purdy has thrown 62% of his passes to open receivers tonight. HC Kyle Shanahan has drawn up a great game plan to make it easy for his rookie QB and SF is in control
— Prime Video Sports Analytics & Insights (@PVSportsStats) December 16, 2022
If the 49ers win tonight I believe Kyle Shanahan should be the front runner for Coach of the Year. He is on his 3rd starting QB and would be the first coach to clinch his division this season.
— Chris Ferera (@ChrisFerera) December 15, 2022
Kyle Shanahan is in his freakin bag tonight. Nothing brings out more genius than Kyle on a 3rd string QB going up against his nemesis Pete Carroll
— B (@BShulkes) December 16, 2022
Don't forget Kyle Shanahan had Nick Mullens as a QB and got him in the record books next to Patrick Mahomes and Andrew Luck. He's always gonna make it work.
— Yves Batoba (@YBatoba) December 16, 2022
I think I’ve figured it out:
Kyle Shanahan is a Stand user like in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Every QB he’s had has been his stand, which is called “RoboQB”
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) December 16, 2022
Kyle Shanahan cooking with the last pick of the 22 draft at QB
— Brett 🎄 (@TheBg_12) December 16, 2022
The best QB in the NFL is when Kyle Shanahan gets a new guy and catches the league off guard for a couple weeks.
— Santa's Delivery Guy (@alltheparcels) December 16, 2022
Kyle Shanahan is gonna go down as the greatest qb coach in nfl history
— Hunter S (@hunters174) December 16, 2022
It really doesn’t matter who is playing QB for the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan should be NFL Coach of the Year for a reason.
— Ryan Heckman (@TheRyanHeckman) December 16, 2022
