If you had told any Niners fan back in August that by mid-January the team would be starting linebackers named Garret Wallow and Eric Kendricks in a road playoff game, they probably would’ve ordered a stiff drink and checked the 2026 mock drafts. It’s been that kind of year in Santa Clara. Violent. Unpredictable.
Honestly, the 2025 season felt like a slow-motion car crash for the first two months. But here we are. Kyle Shanahan, the coach of the 49ers, is currently prepping for a Divisional Round slugfest against the Seattle Seahawks after knocking off the defending champs in Philadelphia.
It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
Most people look at Shanahan and see the "offensive genius" label that’s been duct-taped to his forehead since he arrived in 2017. They see the complex outside-zone runs and the way he makes Brock Purdy look like a seasoned vet. But what’s happening right now? This is different. This is basically a masterclass in survival.
The 2025 Survival Kit: How Shanahan Saved a Sinking Ship
The roster looked like a MASH unit by November. You've got Nick Bosa out. Fred Warner—the heartbeat of the entire organization—has been sidelined with his practice window only just opening this week. And don't even get me started on the offense; George Kittle just went down with a torn Achilles in the Wild Card win.
Yet, the coach of the 49ers keeps finding ways to manufacture points with a patchwork quilt of rookies and guys who were sitting on their couches a month ago.
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Take the Wild Card game against the Eagles. Trailing 16-10, Shanahan calls a play that looked like something out of a backyard Thanksgiving game. Purdy tosses to Skyy Moore, who flips it to Jauan Jennings, who then uncorks a deep ball to Christian McCaffrey. It was a 45-yard "prayer" that was actually a perfectly timed design.
That’s the thing about Shanahan. He doesn’t just call plays; he builds a logic trap for the opposing defensive coordinator.
The Robert Saleh Factor and a Defensive Facelift
A huge part of this year’s "zombie" run is the return of Robert Saleh. When the team moved on from the Nick Sorensen experiment and brought Saleh back as defensive coordinator, it felt like a homecoming. Even without the big-name stars like Bosa, Saleh and the coach of the 49ers have built a "desperate" identity.
They finished the regular season 12-5, which is kind of a miracle considering the "revolving door of injuries" reported by local insiders. They didn't win the division—Seattle snatched the No. 1 seed—but they've won seven of their last eight.
- Defensive Shift: Transitioned back to a 4-3 alignment that players actually understand.
- The "Desperate" Mantra: Shanahan told reporters this week that their advantage is they "play desperate every game."
- Next Man Up: Trusting guys like Marques Sigle in the secondary when nobody else would.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Shanahan Offense
There’s this persistent myth that the Shanahan system is "plug and play." People say anyone can run for 1,000 yards in this scheme. Tell that to the guys who didn't make the cut in 2018 or 2020.
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It’s not just about the scheme; it’s about the demands. Take the center position. Most NFL teams have the quarterback handle all the protection calls. Not in San Francisco. Shanahan puts that on Jake Brendel. He expects his center to be the "brain" of the line so the QB can focus on the secondary.
This year, the coach of the 49ers had to simplify things. With Klay Kubiak taking over as Offensive Coordinator, there's been a noticeable shift toward "self-improvement" over "tangible targets." They stopped talking about the Super Bowl and started talking about Thursday's walk-through.
It’s less "Genius at Work" and more "Grinder in Chief."
The Klay Kubiak Rise
It's worth noting that the coaching tree is still growing. Klay Kubiak, son of Gary, is already getting head coaching looks from teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's the same old story: Shanahan hires a guy, the guy succeeds, and the league tries to poach him.
Why This Saturday in Seattle Matters More Than Usual
The NFL didn't do the coach of the 49ers any favors. After a brutal, physical win in Philly on Sunday, they’ve been scheduled for a Saturday game in Seattle. That’s a short week with a cross-country flight.
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Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy even called it "not fair," citing the recovery time as a massive disadvantage. Shanahan, for his part, tried to lobby the league for a Sunday slot. He lost that battle.
So, what does he do? He cuts the workday. Instead of the usual seven-hour grind, he kept the players for three-and-a-half hours this Tuesday. All walk-throughs. No contact. He’s coaching the "health" of the team as much as the playbook.
The Fred Warner Question
The big story for this weekend is Fred Warner. Shanahan says he's "confident" Warner can be available, but "we'll see if it works out." If the coach of the 49ers can get his All-Pro linebacker back, even at 80%, the energy in that locker room flips.
If not? It’s back to the "patchwork quilt."
Actionable Insights for the Postseason
If you’re following the Niners through this playoff run, here’s what to actually watch for:
- The First 15: Shanahan is famous for his scripted opening plays. If the Niners score on their first two drives in Seattle, it means his "short week" scouting report found a hole in the Seahawks' zone.
- Jauan Jennings' Role: With Kittle out, Jennings isn't just a "third-down' guy anymore. He’s essentially the primary target. Watch how he's used in the slot to clear out space for McCaffrey.
- The "Saleh Surge": Watch the defensive line rotation. Saleh is a master at keeping big men fresh. If the Niners' front four is still getting pressure in the fourth quarter, they win.
The coach of the 49ers has been to the mountain top and fallen off twice in the Super Bowl. People love to bring up the 28-3 lead or the fourth-quarter collapses. But honestly? Doing what he's doing right now with a roster held together by athletic tape and "desperation" might be his most impressive feat yet.
To keep up with the latest roster moves before Saturday’s kickoff, check the official team injury reports or follow the beat writers at the Santa Clara facility. The next 48 hours will decide if this "masterpiece" continues or if the injuries finally catch up.