LISTEN: Why all positions (Except QB) Should Be In Play In The Draft →
placeholder image

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports


49ers’ Kyle Shanahan on play calling with Christian McCaffrey: “It makes it easier”

May 11, 2023 at 10:14 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
To say that Christian McCaffrey was a significant addition last season would be an understatement. The San Francisco 49ers were a .500 team before his arrival and were undefeated in regular-season games where the running back started.

Things got simpler for the 49ers with McCaffrey in the backfield, especially for Kyle Shanahan. During the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event on Wednesday night, the head coach explained what adding McCaffrey meant for him and his offense.

"It makes it easier. It calms your mind a little bit," Shanahan said. "You don't have to make as much stuff up. Everyone wants to be like, 'Oh, you got him now. How creative are you going to be?' It's like, 'You don't have to be as creative.' He can beat that guy. We don't have to help him.

"The defense has got to help the guy guarding him. That's where it gets cool. And that's what I love so much about Christian ... Christian is so different. We have a lot of real talented players on our team, especially our five eligibles. Christian is just so consistent.

"And when you match up his talent, with his preparation, with his mind, with the position he plays and who guards him, I don't care what the leverage is that linebacker is going to play, Christian is going to beat him, and it's consistently."

McCaffrey showed off his versatility in his first start with the 49ers, becoming the first NFL player to run for a touchdown, catch a touchdown, and throw for a touchdown in the same game since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2005. He was a big part of that 31-14 Week 8 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

Defenses must account for the running back because they know he can be a threat no matter how the 49ers get the football into his hands.

"And when you have someone who can do that consistently, and the defense respects that, they're not going to allow that linebacker to play leverage in a certain way without help on the other leverage," Shanahan continued. "And so when you have a guy like that, whether he breaks in or out, it takes two, which now means [TE George] Kittle versus a strong safety. When that safety plays outside leverage, and a guy breaks in, there's no one there to help anymore.

"When a guy plays outside leverage on [WR] Deebo [Samuel], and Deebo just runs in, where if we get the ball in Deebo's hand, he's got a chance to be gone. Well, usually, the linebacker can help there [against] anyone who breaks in, and then we got to go to someone else late. Well, now they're just going to Christian because if they don't, he's that consistent."

Shanahan compared the situation to NBA teams defending against Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Opponents respect the star basketball player's ability to hit on three-point shots. Being aware of that and constantly accounting for it means opportunities for others.

"And it just spaces everything out," Shanahan explained. "And to me, Christian, out of any of those players, because of the position he plays and because of everything else stacked with it, he really makes it easier, in my opinion, to get the ball to Kittle, to get it to Deebo, to get it to [WR Brandon] Aiyuk, to get it to [WR] Jauan [Jennings]."

"And as a play caller, I'm not as stressed because you just let it happen. And I don't care what they do; you guys pick your poison. Go ahead, double him. Those other dudes are pretty good."



Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Andy Reid praises 49ers' Brock Purdy, has advice for Kyle Shanahan

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs witnessed all he needed from Brock Purdy last season to assure him that the San Francisco 49ers are in capable hands at the quarterback position. Purdy was an MVP nominee in 2023 and had his 49ers just a play or two away from clinching a Super Bowl victory away from the Chiefs. Unfortunately, for Purdy and the 49ers, Reid and his own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, widely regarded as the best in the game today, dashed their Super Bowl dreams in overtime last month. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, speaking at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, Reid stated, "Yeah, I


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan: 49ers hope to keep Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy together

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ran into his wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. "He was randomly at our hotel. I don't think he wanted to be," the coach shared on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meetings. The 49ers are currently negotiating a long-term extension with Aiyuk to ensure he remains with the team for the foreseeable future. However, with it only being March, it's challenging to predict how everything will unfold. Typically, under the leadership of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have reached agreements with their star players closer to training camp in July. Lynch stated yesterday that the


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers promoted Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

After Steve Wilks's dismissal, the San Francisco 49ers had several options for their vacant defensive coordinator position. Although former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was considered for the role, he ultimately joined the coaching staff as the assistant head coach under head coach Kyle Shanahan. He will focus on game plan preparations while offering his experience to the team. Nick Sorensen, the team's defensive pass game specialist, was awarded the defensive coordinator position. Shanahan opted for an internal candidate, valuing Sorensen's familiarity with the staff and the defensive system. When asked what qualities Sorensen demonstrated to prove he's ready to call plays for the defense, Shanahan explained, "He's worked with a lot of people


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan's insights on 49ers QB Brock Purdy's rise

By David Bonilla
Mar 27

In addition to discussing his quarterback, Brock Purdy, with reporters on Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan also sat down with NFL Network's Steve Wyche during the NFL owners meetings. Purdy's NFL journey has been captivating. The quarterback embarked on his professional career buried on the 49ers' depth chart after being selected with the final overall draft pick in 2022. His opportunity to showcase his ability to play in the NFL came only after the team suffered injuries to two quarterbacks. Purdy flourished, leading the team to the NFC Championship Game during his rookie season and to the Super Bowl last season. His rise underscores the


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone