With the San Francisco 49ers facing a season filled with injuries and disappointment, the question arises: could the franchise be considering a major shake-up at head coach? The idea of parting ways with Kyle Shanahan may sound drastic, but given the team’s struggles this year, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility.
If the 49ers do decide to make a change, one potential scenario could involve trading Kyle Shanahan to another team. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio floated this idea during a radio appearance with 670 The Score in Chicago on Tuesday, speculating about a possible move that could see Shanahan heading to the Chicago Bears in exchange for draft compensation.
“I feel like [Shanahan] is on the Andy Reid path where he is never going to reach his full potential unless he goes to a new team,” Florio said. “And his dad’s from Illinois. There’s kind of an appeal to that. For conversation purposes, what would you give up to get Kyle Shanahan? How much would you give up to get him? Because I think you should at least have that conversation, especially considering that the 49ers almost traded Jim Harbaugh to the Browns 10 years ago. Harbaugh said no, or else they would have done it. Who knows? If Jed York is considering making a change, this could be a great opportunity.”
Florio’s comments came amidst ongoing turmoil for both the 49ers and the Bears. The Bears recently fired head coach Matt Eberflus following a controversial Thanksgiving Day game, where his questionable clock management decisions became a focal point of criticism.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are grappling with a wave of injuries that has severely impacted their performance. Running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason have both been sidelined, and quarterback Brock Purdy is dealing with a lingering shoulder issue that has kept him banged up for about a month.
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The idea of trading Shanahan may seem far-fetched at first glance, but the precedent exists. The 49ers nearly traded their former head coach, Jim Harbaugh, to the Cleveland Browns a decade ago, which Florio pointed to as evidence that the organization could consider a similar move with Shanahan.
Such a decision would be significant, especially given Shanahan’s role in transforming the 49ers into a competitive team over recent seasons, but it also speaks to the unpredictability of the NFL and the potential for change when things are not going according to plan.
The potential appeal of Shanahan for the Bears is understandable. Shanahan has built a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in the league, and his expertise could be precisely what Chicago needs to turn things around.
His familiarity with Illinois, given that his father, Mike Shanahan, is from the state, adds another interesting layer to the speculation. Bringing in Shanahan could help the Bears reshape their identity and provide the kind of stability they have been seeking for years.
Of course, there would be challenges to such a move. Trading for a head coach is rare, and it would require a considerable amount of draft capital, which Florio hinted at during his radio appearance.
The question is: what would the Bears be willing to give up to secure Shanahan’s services? Would it be worth sacrificing valuable draft picks to bring in a coach who could revitalize the team? These are questions that the Bears would need to consider carefully.
For the 49ers, the potential for trading Shanahan would depend on a number of factors, including their assessment of his future with the franchise and whether they believe a new voice is needed to lead the team.
The current season’s struggles have raised doubts, and while injuries have played a significant role, there may be a belief within the organization that a fresh start is needed.
As the NFL offseason approaches, the situation surrounding Shanahan and the 49ers will be one to watch closely. It’s possible that the team decides to stay the course and give Shanahan another chance to lead them to success, particularly once they’re healthy again.
But if the front office believes that a change is necessary, a trade involving Kyle Shanahan could become one of the biggest stories of the offseason.
The idea may be speculative at this point, but the possibility of Kyle Shanahan finding a new home in Chicago, or elsewhere, shouldn’t be entirely dismissed.
In the world of professional sports, change is often driven by results, and if the 49ers continue to fall short of expectations, they may decide that now is the time to explore all options—including a bold move involving their head coach.
