Maybe it’s not fair to blame head coach Kyle Shanahan for the San Francisco 49ers getting demolished by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship.
Guess what? Life isn’t fair. So in that spirit, many 49ers fans and NFL observers were out to blame someone for the 49ers‘ dismal 31-7 loss. Shanahan was as good a target as any. Never mind that starting quarterback Brock Purdy and then backup Josh Johnson went down with injuries, leaving the team without a healthy QB. Some fans blamed Shanahan for the 49ers’ QB injury woes in the first place, dating to when Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance got hurt earlier this season.
Beyond that, they blamed Shanahan for … everything. Judging by the harsh comments on social media, you would never know they came into the day riding a 12-game winning streak.
Evan Scales tweeted, “Star QBs matter. Kyle Shanahan wants to be the smartest guy in the room and that’s why 49ers won’t get over the hump.”
“Kyle Shanahan is just Jason Garrett with a famous dad,” tweeted Anthony Nash, referencing the ill-fated former Dallas Cowboys head coach.
Star QBs matter. Kyle Shanahan wants to be the smartest guy in the room and that’s why 49ers won’t get over the hump
— EvanScales (@evanvonscales) January 29, 2023
Kyle Shanahan is just Jason Garrett with a famous dad
— Anthony Nash (@_anthonynash) January 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/JamesTillmanIII/status/1619838221147574272
https://t.co/uoyXUM4cSC @49ers Kyle Shanahan MAJOR gaffe. Not challenging obvious incomplete pass in 1st qtr Led to @Eagles first TD. Injury to QB Brock Purdy shortly thereafter. Had Shanahan challenged Niners would have gotten ball on downs. Purdy injury would have been avoided
— Lee's Perspective (@Dogrunner47) January 29, 2023
I said this before and I'll say it again the 49ers will never win a Super Bowl with Kyle Shanahan as head coach! And you were so sure Purdy will lead the 49ers to the Superbowl too. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/yPWwjuq4Fx
— MJEyeoftheTiger 🐅 (@MJREALESTATE10) January 29, 2023
https://twitter.com/kashanacauley/status/1619837883510296577
Not everyone was on the Shanahan-bashing bandwagon. Football Talk tweeted, “I actually can’t believe a portion of the 49ers twitter community is actually blaming Kyle Shanahan for the loss. Y’all been too accustomed to him winning with random dudes at QB.”
I actually can’t believe a portion of the 49ers twitter community is actually blaming Kyle Shanahan for the loss. Y’all been too accustomed to him winning with random dudes at QB
— Football Talk (@Football_Talk2) January 29, 2023
I am not hearing any Kyle Shanahan loses big game nonsense. You can’t play with no QB. Brock was clearly hurt and Josh Johnson was concussed.
The defense had waaaaay too many penalties. It wasn’t Kyle. Coach of the Year.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) January 29, 2023
