The San Francisco 49ers’ Sunday Night Football loss must be the final proof that Kyle Shanahan is officially on the hot seat.
The Indianapolis Colts outplayed them during a rainy game even though the visitors play at an enclosed home field.
They also traveled across the country from Indiana to California, which entailed time zone adjustments.
The 49ers played not to make mistakes while the Colts kept on attacking their defense.
Frank Reich’s team kept on attacking despite the unfavorable conditions and got Indianapolis back on track.
Meanwhile, staunch Shanahan supporters will play the usual reasons for such defeat.
They will say anything from the injuries to crucial players to Jimmy Garoppolo being the weak link.
Since 2017, Shanahan has been 24-11 with Garoppolo and 7-28 without him.
Therefore, perhaps it’s not the roster that is the problem.
Instead, Shanahan’s departure will help improve the team.
His Record Speaks For Itself
The 49ers named him head coach at the age of 36 as part of the NFL revolution on hiring young mentors to lead the team.
A year later, the Los Angeles Rams hired Sean McVay, and some teams followed suit.
However, Shanahan’s Super Bowl year was all the success he can prove because that’s his only winning season with San Francisco.
That year, the 49ers finished the regular season at 13-3 and were minutes away from hoisting the franchise’s sixth Super Bowl title.
"There was every reason for the Colts to lay down last night.. We need to stop lumping the 49ers in with the great teams."
— @ColinCowherd on Kyle Shanahan and San Francisco following 4th straight loss: pic.twitter.com/a1hD41RvpF
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 25, 2021
Unfortunately, Andy Reid outcoached him, and the Kansas City Chiefs came back to snatch the victory.
That game drew comparisons with Super Bowl LI, wherein the Atlanta Falcons lost to the New England Patriots despite leading 28-3.
Coincidentally, Shanahan was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator that game.
The 2019 season was the only bright spot in his tenure with the 49ers.
In the other three seasons, he went 6-10, 4-12, and 6-10 and is shaping up to have another losing record in 2021.
49ers have been treading water in the pool of mediocrity, Kyle Shanahan should be on hot seat, outside of a fluke season it’s been garbage football. pic.twitter.com/C6Lecl5krH
— Ben Maller (@benmaller) October 28, 2021
Shanahan can’t justify the losses with a depleted roster anymore because Elijah Mitchell filled up Raheem Mostert’s shoes, and Deebo Samuel has been impressive as well.
They also have all of their defensive starters playing except for Dre Greenlaw.
Great coaches learn to adapt when one of their top players goes down to injury.
Shanahan hasn’t done that, and the clock is ticking for him.
He Can Still Turn Things Around, But…
There’s still some hope left for Shanahan this season, and he must start by coaching his team to victory at home.
The 49ers are 1-10 in home games dating back to last season, including the matches at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.
Unfortunately, their consecutive home losses might continue because the Arizona Cardinals and the Rams will be their next two visitors.
Understand that it’s sacrilegious to criticize Kyle Shanahan but do the 49ers look well coached ?
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) October 25, 2021
They also have road games against the Rams, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Tennessee Titans.
Shanahan will have to pull the right moves to win those games.
Otherwise, dropping those five games gives them nine losses, enough for another losing season.
The @49ers are a bad team being coached by a bad HC whose strength (his offensive acumen) has been negated by his own decision making/power within in the franchise
Doesn't matter who the QB is because they are a symptom, not the problem
The problem is Kyle Shanahan
— Kevin A Molina (@KevinAMolina) October 25, 2021
Someone within the organization must call him out for his coaching performance he has done the past five seasons.
That criticism will help Shanahan become aware that his plans are not working.
NEXT: 49ers Stuck In Weird Spot With Jimmy Garoppolo