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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has a reputation for being an offensive genius when it comes to how to attack defenses and overall game planning. One player was abruptly exposed to that genius this season. Christian McCaffrey joined the 49ers via a mid-season trade in October and went through a crash course to learn a new playbook and contribute to his new team.
The running back admits that he's never met anyone like Shanahan.
"I've had some great coaches, and when I came to San Fran, I felt like a full rookie again," McCaffrey told Mike Florio and Chris Simms Wednesday on Pro Football Talk Live. "The things that I learned in the meetings, that I'm still learning in the meetings, and watching him watch tape is one of the coolest experiences I've had as a football player; and to do that every day.
"And when people say he's a genius, and multiple people say he's a genius, it's not shocking to me because that's the word I would use. To do what he's done and to be able to string together different plays that are sustainable constantly in all of his years in the NFL is impressive."
Shanahan is a nominee for AP NFL Coach of the Year, and rightfully so. The coach guided the 49ers to a 13-4 regular-season record and won the NFC West title despite losing two starting quarterbacks along the way. He might have reached the Super Bowl for the second time in four years had his third-string quarterback, Brock Purdy, not suffered an injury in the NFC Championship Game.
Simms asked McCaffrey what specifically impresses him about Shanahan, the coach.
"I think the first thing I learned is he understands all 22 positions and everyone's job on every single play," McCaffrey explained. "He can teach you about the defense just as well as he can teach you about the offense. And he knows exactly where the ball is supposed to go on each play. And there's a purpose to every play, and sometimes the purpose might be to set up another play. And it's the timing in which he calls the play, and it's who he's getting the ball to, and it's when he's getting the ball to me.
"And that's why you can be on your third-string rookie quarterback and still go on a huge run. It's a sustainable offense. It's one that works, and it's one that's worked for a long time, and I'm just extremely happy and revived to be a part of it."
Brock Purdy hopes Kyle Shanahan makes addition to 49ers playbook
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for a franchise-record 4,280 yards last season, leading the team to the Super Bowl and earning his first Pro Bowl selection. He held onto the football 39 times on the ground, rushing for 144 yards and scoring twice. This marked a significant improvement over his rookie 2022 campaign when he had 22 carries for 13 yards and a score.
Purdy further displayed his athleticism during the 49ers' playoff game against the Detroit Lions last season, helping engineer a comeback victory while rushing for 48 yards on five carries.
On Tuesday morning, Purdy joined the "Pat McAfee Show," acknowledging that he believes he can contribute more rushing yards if called upon. However, that decision rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan,
Breaking down the 49ers drafts under John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan
By Marc Adams
Apr 20
We are less than one week away from the NFL Draft, and the San Francisco 49ers have their first day-one draft pick since 2021. That was the year they selected QB Trey Lance number three overall. The trade-up to get Lance cost the 49ers their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. And now that they are back in the first round, at pick 31, fans are anxious to see what the team does with the pick. And with former assistant GM, Adam Peters, now in Washington, it will be interesting to see how well the 49ers draft without Peters in the room.
We looked back at the seven drafts GM John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan have led to see what information we could pull from those drafts. There were plenty of hits, plenty of misses, and a few surprises along the way. The draft picks are
49ers sign WR Trent Taylor, reuniting with former draft pick
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
By David Bonilla
Apr 16
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
