The Super Bowl is often a setting that defines the legacies of the people that participate. The winner is remembered and celebrated forever. Legends are made. Tom Brady is the greatest player of all time because of his seven Super Bowl Championships. Joe Montana before him because of his 4 Super Bowl Championships. Nick Foles‘ magical run in 2017 that saw him beat Brady and the Patriots made his name into one of a legend. Eli Manning is regarded as the one man Brady couldn’t beat because of his two Super Bowl victories over the latter.
However, the Super Bowl is also a setting of infamy. Why didn’t Seattle run the ball from the 1-yard line with the most dominant short-yardage running back of all time? How did the Falcons blow a 25-point 3rd quarter lead? The Super Bowl and title games in general have been a source of heartbreak for 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan. A lot of that is because of Shanahan’s own mistakes.
Shanahan is a great coach. One of the best offensive minds in the NFL’s history. Almost every team in the league is scrambling to hire someone off his coaching tree, even the defensive coaches. However, the lack of a win in the big game is a big hole in his legacy. It’s hard to put his name with the upper echelon of NFL coaches if he is unable to plug that hole. He has another opportunity on Sunday, and most coaches don’t get this many. As of right now, his legacy is that of chokes and heartbreak.
Shanahan’s Legacy is On the Line
1. Super Bowl 51
This is the beginning of Shanahan’s big game struggles, although he wasn’t a head coach at this juncture. He was Atlanta’s offensive coordinator in a historic year for that offense and quarterback Matt Ryan was the NFL’s MVP. His Falcons held an infamous 28-3 lead in the third quarter of this Super Bowl. They ended up spontaneously combusting and losing the game to Tom Brady and the Patriots. Of course, a large part of the blame goes upon the defense. However, this blown lead has largely become a stain on Shanahan’s standing and legacy in the NFL.
The Falcons offense in 2016 was historic. Quarterback Matt Ryan won the Most Valuable Player award for a reason. Running back Devonta Freeman compiled over 1,400 total yards from scrimmage. Legendary wide receiver Julio Jones caught 83 receptions for 1,409 yards. Therefore, the Falcons scoring just 3 points in the 2nd half came as a big surprise. If Shanahan’s offense had mustered just a touchdown, Atlanta probably would have won that game.
2. Super Bowl 54
This game was the second of Shanahan’s Super Bowl collapses. The 49ers held a 10-point lead over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who they will be playing this Sunday, with seven minutes left in the game. Not only did the 49ers completely blow their lead, they lost the game by 11 points. Of course, the 49ers defense can be blamed heavily as well. Mahomes and the Chiefs offense converted too many plays on 3rd and long that just shouldn’t have been allowed by the defense. However, Shanahan was the main reason for the collapse.
Star utility weapon Deebo Samuel touched the ball just once after halftime, even though he was averaging nearly 18 yards per attempt on his 3 rushing attempts. Running back Raheem Mostert only rushed the ball 12 times, even though he averaged 4.4 yards per attempt. Shanahan decided to put the game in his quarterback’s hands, even though everyone knew he was the weak link in San Francisco’s offense. Throwing up 10 with 7 minutes left with a quarterback of Jimmy Garoppolo‘s caliber was a bad decision and ended up costing the 49ers a Super Bowl win.
3. 2022 and 2023 NFC Championship Games
The 2022 NFC Championship Game is another game in which Shanahan’s team collapsed late. They once again carried a 10-point lead into the 4th quarter and lost by three points. Of course, one could once again blame the defense. However, Shanahan is the common thread between these blown leads. Maybe he’s just not preparing his team enough and that certainly showed once again to a certain extent in this year’s playoff games so far.
The 2023 NFC Championship is a different case. The 49ers never held a lead in that one, instead being blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles. Now how is this Shanahan’s fault? He lost both of his quarterbacks, including Brock Purdy. Shanahan first didn’t challenge a catch that was clearly dropped by Eagles’ receiver DeVonta Smith on 4th down that set up Philadelphia’s first touchdown. Then, he proceeded to block Eagles star pass rusher Haason Reddick one one-on-one with his backup tight end, Tyler Kroft, on a play-action pass play. This is the play that got Purdy hurt. So yes, it is comfortable to say that Shanahan did inadvertently cost the 49ers the game against the Eagles.
Another (Perhaps Last) Opportunity.
Kyle Shanahan has another opportunity to fix his reputation as a big-game choker. He has the opportunity to make himself one of the all-time coaches. He cannot afford for his arms to turn into spaghetti once again. Things might be different now. Brock Purdy is the best play-making quarterback Shanahan has ever had after the play breaks down. He saved Shanahan using his legs multiple times at key junctures against the Lions when his called play didn’t result in an open receiver.
But Shanahan cannot lose the plot this time. Purdy is very good, but Shanahan cannot put the game in his hands for the whole game. He has to put the ball in the hands of his best players, Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel. He must show growth from his previous failures and close the deal this time around. Coaches don’t get many opportunities in the NFL, and for Kyle Shanahan, this is the game that might define his legacy, one way or another.
Main Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
