SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers have had a rollercoaster of success in the Super Bowl, winning five out of their first 29 appearances, but losing three out of their next 29. The recent losses have led to a growing narrative surrounding head coach Kyle Shanahan’s ability to win big games. This narrative was highlighted in a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, titled “The Brilliant Coach Who Can’t Stop Losing Big Games.”
Shanahan addressed the issue in a press conference, acknowledging the importance of changing the perception but also emphasizing the team’s success in winning big games to reach the playoffs and Super Bowls. He refuted the notion that the 49ers cannot win a big game, attributing the success or failure to the outcome of a single game. Shanahan also pointed out that the team’s recent Super Bowl losses came against two of the greatest quarterbacks in the game, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
The challenge for Shanahan is the potential future matchups with Mahomes, who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to thrive in high-pressure moments. Despite this, Shanahan has the opportunity to change the narrative, and it would greatly benefit the team to have a quarterback of Mahomes’ caliber, like the one they could have selected in the 2017 draft with the second overall pick.
Shanahan’s determination to overcome the narrative of his team’s inability to win big games highlights his commitment to leading the 49ers to future success in the NFL. The upcoming seasons will reveal whether Shanahan can change the course and lead the team to victory on football’s biggest stage.