With the 49ers entering the NFL playoffs as favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is coach Kyle Shanahan's job.
However, NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Donte Whitner believes the stars are perfectly aligned for Shanahan to bring San Francisco its sixth championship, as he shared in the latest edition of “Hitner's Hot Take.”
“This year, head coach Kyle Shanahan had his best coaching year … and I have every confidence he'll bring the Lombardi home this year,” Whitner said Sunday after the 49ers' regular-season finale loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
San Francisco (12-5) clinched the NFC's No. 1 playoff spot in Week 17 and will now enjoy a first-round bye during Super Wild Card Weekend before facing a yet-to-be-determined divisional-round opponent at Levi's Stadium. Competition will take place on either January 20th or 21st.
If Shanahan and the 49ers make it to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and win the Super Bowl, San Francisco coach and his father Mike Shanahan would become the first father-son head coaching duo in the NFL to each win a championship. Mike won back-to-back Super Bowl titles as coach of the Denver Broncos in the 1997 and 1998 seasons, while Shanahan lost as coach of the 49ers at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
Whitner is optimistic that Shanahan has a chance to make history with a Super Bowl victory, he explained, because of quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers' treasure trove of offensive weapons.
“I say that because this is the first year that Kyle has really run the offense the way he envisioned,” Whitner continued, citing the versatility of wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk as matchup issues , created by running back Christian McCaffrey and the blocking and pass-catching duality of tight end George Kittle.
The focus is on Purdy as the 49ers' offense now serves as a catalyst for the team after years of defensive dominance.
“The deciding factor is Brock Purdy,” Whitner said. “This is the first time in Kyle Shanahan's career as a head coach and offensive coordinator that he is truly happy with his quarterback. Not only can Brock Purdy throw the football on time, make the right decisions and take care of the football, but he also has the gene to extend plays.
“And this is also the first year that Kyle Shanahan will make the playoffs completely dependent on his offense… If Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense can continue their explosive ways, scoring touchdowns, taking care of the football and defense, they will the takeaways.” “I firmly believe that Kyle Shanahan is one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history this year.”
Heading into his fourth playoff appearance in the 49ers' last five seasons, Shanahan has certainly accomplished enough to establish himself among San Francisco's top coaches. A Super Bowl win would enhance that legacy, and Whitner believes it's possible.
Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast
