The San Francisco 49ers find themselves out of the playoff race just one season removed from a Super Bowl appearance, leaving many searching for answers to their dramatic decline.
While former NFL receiver James Jones recently attributed the 49ers downfall to linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s injury woes beginning in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, others are pointing fingers elsewhere.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
© David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Former NFL linebacker and co-host of FS1’s The Facility, Emmanuel Acho, has taken a different stance, placing the blame squarely on San Francisco’s head coach Kyle Shanahan.
“It’s the most disappointing season in the Kyle Shanahan era,” said Acho, as he criticized Shanahan for what he sees as mismanagement of the staff, roster, and offense.
“It’s the most disappointing season in the Kyle Shanahan era,” said Acho. “Kyle Shanahan looks like he’s mismanaged the staff, he’s mismanaged the roster, he’s mismanaged the offense.”
Acho detailed Shanahan’s alleged failings, beginning with staff decisions.
“I’ll first start with the staff. You fire Steve Wilks because there’s a lack of a personality and personnel fit. You fire Steve Wilks, but he has the number three defense in football, and now, [Nick] Sorensen has the 25th-best defense in football. Yesterday, the Niners allowed 38 points in a regular season game. The first time in 37 games since the Chiefs did so October 23 of, 2022.”
On roster management, Acho didn’t hold back.
“Now, let’s talk about the players. You and Brandon Aiyuk, ya’ll, have this tension so much so that we see him taking off his shorts at practice because he’s wearing different-colored shorts. He wants to get paid, he doesn’t get paid. Deebo Samuel, he’s choking snappers during a game, and nothing is spoken of about it,” continued Acho.
Acho closed by addressing the offense.
“This offense, this prolific offense. In a world where the Detroit Lions are running up scoreboards, running a ton of trick plays. In a world where offenses are changing protections. In a world where quarterbacks and players are being protected, this offense looks stagnant,” closed Acho
As the 49ers prepare to face the NFC-leading Detroit Lions in Week 17, Shanahan and his team must address mounting concerns in what has become one of his most challenging seasons. With playoff hopes already dashed and criticism mounting from both analysts and fans, this matchup offers a critical opportunity for Shanahan to demonstrate resilience and start rebuilding trust in his leadership and vision for the team’s future.
