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Kyle Shanahan didn't beat around the bush on Thursday while speaking to reporters about the country's racism problem. The San Francisco 49ers head coach spoke passionately about the topic, all while saying the right things. And, as is always the case with Shanahan, you could tell it was the truth.
Shanahan isn't one to avoid a topic. He will speak his mind, and you will get an honest answer to your question. That's why the media loves talking to the coach and why players love working with him.
49ers tight end George Kittle sat down with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on the Bussin' with the Boys podcast and was asked what it's like to play for Shanahan.
"Awesome. Kyle, he's the man," Kittle responded. "I love playing for him. I think one of my favorite things about him is, first thing, he just loves football so much. And when you have a guy who loves football, and it's not work for him, it makes it pretty easy to play for the guy.
"He doesn't have to give us a pump-up speech or anything like that. You can just tell how much it means to him."
Kittle has only played for one NFL head coach — Shanahan. The tight end was drafted in Shanahan's and general manager John Lynch's first offseason with the team and is one of the best route-running tight ends with which the head coach has ever worked.
Wait, one of the best?
Kittle shared that his coach told him that he is actually the third- or fourth-best.
"I'm like, 'Who are the second or third guys?'" Kittle said with a smile. "[Shanahan] goes, 'Don't worry about it.'"
Kittle wondered: "Who do I watch, then, to try to get better?"
But it's that honesty that the tight end loves about his coach. You aren't getting anything phony with Shanahan.
"I also like (that) he's just straight up with everybody," Kittle continued. "He doesn't lie. Like, we were 4-12 [in 2018], and he still got up in front of the team and didn't bulls--t us or anything like that. He's like, 'This is why we're not good. This is what we've got to do to be better. We've just got to work harder and practice better.' So he's always straight up with us, and that's what I love about him.
"He's all about the players. He just wants to make sure everyone's bodies are healthy (and) ready to roll in each game."
Just a note, in case you watch the full interview: The actual podcast was recorded sometime after the Super Bowl and probably before the COVID-19 pandemic forced social distancing. The trio (along with George Kittle's father, Bruce, who was also a guest) wasn't yet sure if Joe Staley would retire and didn't seem to know where Tom Brady would land in free agency.
49ers restructure George Kittle's contract, creating cap savings
By David Bonilla
Mar 15
ESPN's Field Yates reports that the San Francisco 49ers have restructured the contract of tight end George Kittle, creating close to $10 million of additional 2024 salary cap space.
The Browns restructured the contract of newly-acquired WR Jerry Jeudy to create north of $10M in 2024 cap space.The 49ers restructured the contract of TE George Kittle, also creating close to $10M in 2024 cap space.— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 15,
Maliek Collins on joining 49ers, playing for Kris Kocurek, replacing Arik Armstead
By David Bonilla
Mar 14
Today, the San Francisco 49ers officially announced the acquisition of Houston Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins. Shortly after the announcement, the team made their new defensive lineman available to reporters via Zoom. One thing was evident: Collins has been eager to play under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek for a considerable time.
The two met at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2016, and those conversations in Indianapolis made Collins a fan of Kocurek.
When asked to explain what excites him about Kocurek, Collins responded, "It was just his passion that he brings to the game, how he's all about getting a dub, and he wants to [have] the most productive defensive line, and he wants to be number one in everything. That's something that I want to come in, I
La Canfora doubles down on rumor of Ravens' interest in 49ers' Deebo Samuel
By David Bonilla
Mar 14
Jason La Canfora of 105.7 The Fan stands firm on his report that the Baltimore Ravens reached out to the San Francisco 49ers regarding wide receiver Deebo Samuel, eyeing the opportunity to potentially acquire the dynamic star player.
On Thursday, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta laughed off the rumor, likening it to fiction, such as the children's story "The Lorax."
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La Canfora, appearing on Bay Area radio
49ers signing safety George Odum to a two-year extension
By David Bonilla
Mar 12
NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reports that, according to the player's agent, the San Francisco 49ers are signing safety and special teams contributor George Odum to a two-year, $10 million extension that could reach $10.8 million. Initially signed through the 2024 season, this extension will keep him under contract through 2026.
The #49ers and special teams ace George Odum have agreed to a two-year extension worth up to $10 million, per his agent Matt Glose. The deal puts Odum at the top of the core special teams market.