"Yeah, you lose four games in a row, I'm the head coach of this team, I expect [the criticism], and I deserve it," Shanahan told reporters after Sunday night's embarrassing 30-18 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Losing is a fast way to get a fanbase to turn on you. Once considered one of the brightest young minds in football, Shanahan may be running out of excuses. Yes, he took the Niners to a Super Bowl during the 2019 season, but that is starting to look like the outlier rather than any of his three previous losing seasons — including last year's injury-plagued campaign.
The 49ers were supposed to be contending for the NFC West title. Just seven weeks in, they find themselves in the basement of the division, hidden behind the Russell Wilson poster and the Pete Carroll bobblehead in the corner. Upstairs, the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams are racing for the top spot, leaving Shanahan and his once-hyped squad forgotten.
We asked fans on Twitter if Shanahan should be on the hot seat. After all, the division looks out of reach, and the playoffs may be wishful thinking. Most fans believe Shanahan's job should not be as secure as the organization has often let on.
Below are the poll results so far, with less than 30 percent of fans believing Shanahan absolutely should not be on the hot seat, as of this post.
Time is running out for the 49ers. They'll need to find a spark this weekend, on the road, against the Chicago Bears, who are coming off a two-game losing streak and looking to right their own ship.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan reveals key goal to beat Colts in Week 16
The San Francisco 49ers clinched a playoff berth Sunday after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Detroit Lions. Still, the 49ers have plenty at stake heading into Monday night's Week 16 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Entering the game, San Francisco is slotted as... -
49ers QB Brock Purdy shuts down reporter's question about Kyle Shanahan's play calling
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, hot off earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors, cracked a smile during Wednesday's media availability, clearly amused by a specific line of questioning. After recounting the communication issue against the Indianapolis... -
49ers' Brock Purdy reacts to Kyle Shanahan calling Colts performance 'close to perfect'
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan praised quarterback Brock Purdy after his five-touchdown outing in Monday night's 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts. "He did awesome, man," Shanahan said. "Played really well. I got on him for a couple he missed, but it was... -
Kyle Shanahan evaluates Caleb Williams ahead of 49ers-Bears showdown
The San Francisco 49ers are facing the Chicago Bears for the second straight year. In 2024, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad came away with a dominant 38-13 victory at Levi's Stadium, and aim to repeat that success on Sunday night as they continue their push toward the...