San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was the offensive coordinator for Washington from 2010 through 2013. It was an excellent opportunity for the young coach to work with his father, Mike Shanahan, Washington's head coach.
That run in Washington didn't end well, though. The Shanahans were fired on December 30, 2013, after the team finished the season 3-13 and in last place in the NFC East. Before a 2019 matchup against his former employer, the 49ers coach was asked to reflect on the good from his experience in Washington.
"Being able to work with my dad and being around some other good coaches," Shanahan responded.
What about the bad?
"Everything else," Shanahan replied.
Throughout the years, including 2019, the 49ers coach has insisted that the past remains in the past, and he and his father have moved on. Today, Shanahan and his 49ers will host the now-Washington Commanders at Levi's Stadium. San Francisco has secured a playoff spot by winning the NFC West. Washington is still fighting to ensure they earn a place at the postseason table.
As for any ill will toward the Commanders, Shanahan insists he has moved on even further since that 2019 matchup. Does this game have any deeper meaning for the coach other than his 49ers earning their eighth consecutive win?
"No, not at all," Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area. "It was back in the day, and there's a lot of things that bothered me very wrong, just dealing with a family member and stuff like that, that I took pretty personal. So it meant a lot to me back in the day, but we're long past that, not to mention I think a lot of things have changed.
"I don't know how much the ownership group is even there anymore. And I've always been a huge fan and respect the hell out of [Commanders head coach] Ron Rivera. I love [Commanders general manager, formerly with the 49ers] Martin Mayhew; a great dude. I know they're trying to do things the right way, and I've got no beef with them anymore, so we're good."