On Tuesday, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers would offer the head coach job to Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. Now, Michael Silver of NFL Media is reporting that it is a near certainty that Shanahan is prepared to accept the multi-year offer from San Francisco. According to Silver, this information comes from sources familiar with both parties.
According to sources familiar with both parties, it is almost certain that Kyle Shanahan will accept the 49ers' multi-year offer to be HC
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 18, 2017
Of course, Shanahan is the last remaining candidate for the 49ers after New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels declared on Monday that he taking his name out of contention. On Tuesday, Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach and offensive line coach Tom Cable did the same thing. How interested were the 49ers in Cable? Silver reports that team owner Denise DeBartolo York interviewed him on the phone for over an hour.
Niners' interest in Tom Cable was real. Owner Denise DeBartolo York interviewed him on the phone today for an hour...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 18, 2017
Former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley had reportedly been interested in joining the 49ers as their defensive coordinator should Cable be hired. Silver states that the 49ers contacted Bradley on Tuesday to see if he would join the team anyway but that he declined because he was only interested if in joining Cable. Bradley worked on the same staff as Cable for two years while he was the defensive coordinator of the Seahawks.
Gus Bradley wanted to go to SF as Cable's DC. Niners called today to try to get him to come anyway. He said no. Only wanted Cable.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 18, 2017
The Los Angeles Chargers and their new head coach, Anthony Lynn, are also very interested in hiring Bradley.
Another name that bowed out of a 49ers job was Seahawks co-director of player personnel Trent Kirchner, who was interested in becoming the new general manager. Silver believes that both Kirchner and Cable pulled out of the competition for the general manager and head coaching jobs because both became convinced that the 49ers had already informally offered Shanahan the position of head coach and knew that he planned to accept.
Kirchner & Cable pulled out today because they became convinced that 49ers had informally offered Shanahan & that he planned to accept
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 18, 2017
Kirchner was one of two Seahawks executives that were interviewed for the 49ers' general manager vacancy. The other was co-directory of player personnel Scott Fitterer. Both were interviewed by CEO Jed York and vice president of football operations Paraag Marathe on Monday.
Which general manager could be paired with Shanahan? Silver reported earlier on Tuesday that he believes Green Bay Packers director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst to be the frontrunner for the job. The second round of interviews with general manager candidates is expected to kick off next week.
If you're handicapping Niners: Shanahan likely top choice. Not certain he accepts. If he does, Gutekunst GM frontrunner. Paton & Wolf next.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 17, 2017
As far as the head coach job goes, nothing can become official until the Falcons are no longer in playoff contention. The team is preparing to face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Should the Falcons win, the 49ers hope to meet with Shanahan to discuss general manager options and who he would like to work with. Atlanta would have a bye week prior to the Super Bowl and Shanahan would be open to meeting with the team then. Should the Falcons lose, the 49ers hope to meet with Shanahan immediately to officially offer him the job.
Shanahan has been the offensive coordinator with Atlanta since 2015. Prior to that, he held the same position with the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and Houston Texans. Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Washington at the same time that his father, Mike Shanahan, was the head coach.
The 49ers have been without a head coach and general manager since officially announcing the firings of Chip Kelly and Trent Baalke on January 1, following the team's final game of the season.
