The San Francisco 49ers are one win away from their fifth NFC Championship Game appearance in the last seven seasons.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has received high praise from his star players for how he has operated differently in 2025. According to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner, tight end George Kittle lauded Shanahan for “evolving” in his ninth season with the organization.
“We’re in and out of a team meeting now in 15-20 minutes,” Kittle told Wagoner. “And I’ve never experienced that since he’s been doing the film stuff since 2019. He’s evolving and just adapting with the times, and it’s just kind of fun to see that.”
Quarterback Brock Purdy, who is in his fourth season with San Francisco, told Wagoner that Shanahan is a “Hall of Fame coach” because of his ability to put the team in a position to win even with a roster plagued by injuries.
“Every single week he goes all in and gives everything he’s got for this team, this organization, to make sure we’re put in the right positions, and to go out and have a chance,” Purdy said. “Anytime we step out on the field with him as our playcaller, we’re always going to have a chance.”
Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers Masterpiece Season
GettyHead coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Even though the 49ers were one of the most dominant teams in the NFL from 2019 to 2023, with two Super Bowl appearances during that period, this season might be Shanahan’s masterpiece.
Purdy, Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall combined to miss 22 games during the regular season. Fred Warner and Nick Bosa only played a combined nine games due to injuries. The 49ers lost 17 players via free agency, release, or trade who landed elsewhere on deals worth more than $340 million combined.
San Francisco had more than $152 million in dead cap space and reserve list salaries, fourth-most in the league. Of the teams in the top six in that category, only the 49ers won more than six games. They finished 12-5, matching their 2023 win total with a far more depleted roster.
“If you were to tell somebody after Week 4 that we were going to be 12-5 and in the playoffs, and have one of the best records in football, people would have laughed at us,” Christian McCaffrey told Wagoner.
The injuries continued into the playoffs. Pearsall missed the Wild Card game. Kittle tore his Achilles in the second quarter against the Eagles.
Despite the adversity, the 49ers prevailed 23-19 in Philadelphia.
Shanahan’s ability to navigate all of that while adjusting his approach and streamlining meetings has been critical to San Francisco’s success.
The Seattle Rematch Adds Another Layer of Difficulty
Things will not get easier for Shanahan and the 49ers in the Divisional Round.
San Francisco faces the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Saturday with a spot in the NFC Championship Game on the line. These two NFC West rivals met in Week 18, with Seattle earning a 13-3 victory that secured the division title and the No. 1 seed in the postseason.
The three points scored by the 49ers were their fewest in a game since Shanahan’s debut as head coach in September 2017. The offense struggled to generate anything against Seattle’s defense, and the result was a lopsided loss that sent San Francisco into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
Saturday’s rematch presents a chance for redemption. But it also represents the kind of challenge that has defined Shanahan’s season. The 49ers will be without Kittle, one of their most important offensive weapons. They will face a rested Seattle team that has had a week off after earning a first-round bye. And they will do so on the road in one of the NFL’s most difficult environments.
The 49ers have overcome adversity all season. Now, they need to do it one more time to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
Why Shanahan’s Evolution Matters
Shanahan’s willingness to evolve has been one of the most important factors in San Francisco’s success this season.
Kittle’s comments about shorter team meetings reflect a broader shift in how Shanahan has managed the team. In previous years, film sessions and meetings were longer and more detailed. This season, Shanahan has streamlined the process, recognizing that a team dealing with constant roster turnover and injury management needed efficiency as much as thoroughness.
That adjustment has allowed the 49ers to stay fresh mentally and physically. It has also shown the players that Shanahan is willing to adapt his approach based on the needs of the team, rather than sticking rigidly to methods that worked in the past.
Purdy’s comments about Shanahan being a “Hall of Fame coach” reflect the trust the locker room has in his leadership. The 49ers have dealt with significant adversity all season, but they have never lost confidence in Shanahan’s ability to put them in a position to win.
That confidence will be tested again on Saturday. But if this season has proven anything, it is that Shanahan knows how to navigate difficult situations and get the most out of his roster.
Final Word for the 49ers
Kyle Shanahan has received high praise from his star players for how he has adapted this season.
George Kittle and Brock Purdy both spoke to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner about Shanahan’s evolution as a coach and his ability to keep the 49ers competitive despite significant roster challenges. The result has been a 12-5 regular season and a Wild Card Round victory that has San Francisco one win away from the NFC Championship Game.
Saturday’s rematch with the Seahawks will test whether Shanahan’s adjustments can translate into playoff success. Seattle dominated the 49ers in Week 18, holding them to just three points. But this San Francisco team has shown all season that it does not fold under pressure.
Shanahan has evolved. The 49ers have adapted. And now, they have a chance to prove that all of it was worth it.
49ers Send Strong Message on Kyle Shanahan Before Seahawks