Shanahan denies 49ers are unable to win big games after latest Super Bowl loss

Kyle Shanahan has heard the criticism that despite all his accomplishments as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, he is unable to win the big games. Those calls grew louder after a second Super Bowl loss in five seasons, and Shanahan is eager to quell them.

“The fact that we keep getting there shows how much we win big games,” Shanahan said Tuesday as the Niners went home for the offseason, two days after their 25-22 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“These two Super Bowls were tough, we lost to Kansas City. …You guys can have any story you want. The success or failure comes down to one match,” he said. “I hope I can be part of a team that wins the competition at the end of the year. But to say the Niners can’t win a big game would be an extremely inaccurate statement.”

They have failed to win the ultimate prize in recent years, despite coming close. San Francisco blew a 10-point lead to the Chiefs in the fourth quarter and lost the Super Bowl four years ago.

The Niners then lost a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of the 2021 NFC title game, lost to the Los Angeles Rams and lost again to Philadelphia at that stage last season, when they played much of the game without a functioning quarterback.

Then came the final Super Bowl, when they led Chiefs 10-0 early and then allowed Patrick Mahomes to lead two tying field goals in the fourth quarter and a game-winning touchdown drive in overtime.

There has been some criticism of Shanahan’s decision to take the ball in overtime, with some players admitting they were unaware of the new rules for OT in the playoffs. But Shanahan said he had plans for the new rules before the postseason started, and said his assistants informed the players of those plans before the start of overtime on Sunday.

“While we were waiting for the coin toss, we told everyone. We had to assess everyone to make sure they knew for sure before we went out,” Shanahan said. “So we asked position coaches to do that. But I didn’t discuss it at a meeting during Super Bowl week. I don’t think that changes anything.”

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy said his position coach, Brian Griese, told him about the new rules Sunday before overtime.

“He explained the rules and everything to me so I understood,” Purdy said.

“I’m just disappointed because we had more than enough opportunities to get that one,” All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said. “There are no Super Bowls. You have to take them with you when they are available and we didn’t do that. We had such a team to do it, we had such a great opportunity. We played the right way. The stupid thing is that you have to go back to ground zero and start all over again.”

Purdy went from the last pick of the 2022 draft to franchise quarterback in his first full season as a starter after returning from major elbow surgery.
He helped give San Francisco one of the most potent offenses in the game, with a deep group of playmakers led by Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel.

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But after averaging 28.9 points per game as the league’s most efficient offense, the 49ers weren’t as sharp in the postseason and fell short in key spots in the Super Bowl. San Francisco had three consecutive three-and-out drives to start the second half, then settled for field goals at the end of regulation time and in overtime after failing protection on third-down plays.

“I still hurt for the guys that have been here, the older guys, the coaches, our fan base and everyone,” Purdy said. “It sucks. We are here. Went into overtime and got a chance. It sucks, but that’s the game we play.”

The Chiefs scored on their final four drives Sunday, raising questions about whether defensive coordinator Steve Wilks would take responsibility for the loss.

Wilks took over the top-ranked defense in the NFL and had some shaky moments midway through the season and in the first two playoff games as he tried to put his spin on the existing system. The defense held Mahomes for the first 42 minutes before he faltered late.

Shanahan did not directly address whether Wilks would return for a second season. He said he hadn’t spoken to his coaches yet but expected them to return.

The Niners expect to bring back most of their core this season, but know that doesn’t mean they will return to this stage next season.

“We have all the pieces, but it never guarantees victory,” said fullback Kyle Juszczyk. “At the end of the day, it’s not basketball. It’s not a seven-game series. You can put yourself in the absolute best position and sometimes you will be defeated. All you can do is keep trying to put yourself in the best position, but you are never guaranteed anything.”

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