Kyle Shanahan on going against Seattle: ‘It’s going to be a grind all the way to the end’

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area for an interview which aired on Saturday night. He touched on a number of topics as his team prepares to face the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Clips of the interview with Matt Maiocco were posted on the network's Twitter account and can be viewed below.

Shanahan explains how the bye week has helped the 49ers and discussed the decision to start quarterback C.J. Beathard over Jimmy Garoppolo against Seattle.

"I do hope to get him in (this season) if that works out," Shanahan said. "But right now, especially coming off the win and the way we played, I do think it's best for C.J., the best for Jimmy, and the best for our team that we stick with what we've been doing."


Shanahan discussed the relationship between Beathard and Garoppolo and how each is helping the other.


Shanahan discussed running back Carlos Hyde and what he has meant to the 49ers offense this season. Hyde is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Shanahan responded to the question of whether or not Hyde has shown enough to prove he has a future with the 49ers.

"I never felt he didn't fit in the scheme, so he never had to answer those questions to me," Shanahan said. "I just try to see how good guys are and whether they show up week in and week out and if it's guys you can rely on through the grind of an NFL season."


Shanahan discussed what it means to have players coming back from injuries – specifically the returns along the defensive line. He also shared what he wants to see from new additions Sheldon Day and Cassius Marsh.


Shanahan discussed the matchup between linebacker Reuben Foster and Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. He also shared the plan to replace safety Adrian Colbert.

"It's next man up, and you've got to perform," Shanahan said.


Shanahan calls the matchup against Seattle "a huge opportunity." He feels the 49ers should have won the Week 2 matchup against the Seahawks and hopes the team's victory against the New York Giants sparks something.

"I do believe it's going to be close," Shanahan said. "It's going to be a grind all the way to the end. And you hope that we have learned, starting [against the Giants], how to finish teams off and how to come up with that win. I think that's what they did to us in Week 2."


All videos courtesy of @NBCS49ers on Twitter.