Silver discusses 49ers’ second interview with Kyle Shanahan, Colts’ influence

Michael Silver of NFL Media joined "Joe, Lo & Dibs" on 95.7 The Game to preview the Super Bowl, discuss the possibility of the New England Patriots trading a quarterback, and, of course, the San Francisco 49ers' second interview with Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

Within a day or two following Super Bowl LI on February 5, Shanahan is expected to become the 49ers' newest head coach. The 49ers will meet again with the presumptive hire on Saturday to discuss general manager candidates, coaching staff, and more. Per league rules, San Francisco has until Sunday to meet with Shanahan and, because the Falcons will be using the week to prepare for the Patriots, that meeting will not occur until just before that window closes on a day off for players. Silver was asked about the second interview, knowing that Shanahan becoming the 49ers' head coach is likely a done deal.

"I would think it's not your classic second interview," Silver said on Tuesday. "They've pledged their vows to each other but you can't enforce it. So, in other words, if (Indianapolis Colts owner) Jim Irsay called up Kyle Shanahan right now and said, 'Dude, I'm going to clean out (Colts head coach) Chuck Pagano too and offer you double what Jed York is offering you and you can come coach Andrew Luck,' and Kyle Shanahan decided he was willing to tell Jed York, 'I know we had an understanding, but this is the way it is,' you couldn't enforce that.

"I think from the 49ers' perspective, they feel comfortable where they are and, of course, they're going to talk about GM candidates and staff and the future and, let's not be naive, these things can be talked about (through) back channels too as long as you don't have a formal agreement.

"We're not venturing into completely foreign territory here. Kyle Shanahan's boss, Dan Quinn, essentially dealt with the same thing two years ago when he was the Seahawks' defensive coordinator and everybody knew he was going to go to the Falcons once the Super Bowl happened."

You can listen to the entire interview on 95.7 The Game.

Although the idea of the Colts swooping in and stealing the 49ers' only remaining candidate is a frightening one, Irsay has publicly committed to Pagano. Of course, as Silver points out, anything can happen. The Colts have already requested to interview Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton, the 49ers' current top candidate for general manager. Paton will meet with the 49ers this week and hopefully be able to sit down with Shanahan to see if the pair can work well together.

Until things become official, 49ers fans sit and wait while hoping that no other team ruins the beginning of the team's rebuild.