The San Francisco 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan, is under intense scrutiny following a surprising 31-24 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The defeat, which snapped the 49ers’ winning streak and exposed critical vulnerabilities in their game plan, has sparked outrage among fans and biting criticism from media outlets.
Shanahan, regarded as one of the most innovative minds in football, is now facing questions about his decision-making during pivotal moments of the game. Analysts have pointed to conservative playcalling in the second half, where the 49ers failed to capitalize on key opportunities to close the gap. A controversial fourth-quarter decision to punt instead of attempting a manageable fourth-and-2 near midfield left fans frustrated, with many questioning whether Shanahan’s trust in his offense is waning.
Adding to the criticism, quarterback Brock Purdy appeared out of sync, throwing two costly interceptions that led directly to Seahawks touchdowns. While some blame Purdy’s mistakes on the pressure brought by Seattle’s aggressive defense, others argue that Shanahan failed to adjust his offensive strategy to counteract Seattle’s blitz-heavy approach.
Defensively, the 49ers struggled to contain Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, who torched the secondary with over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Despite boasting one of the league’s most formidable defenses, the unit looked vulnerable, raising concerns about their preparedness for divisional matchups.
Fans took to social media to voice their displeasure, with some calling for a reevaluation of Shanahan’s leadership. “How can a team with so much talent keep losing key games?” one user wrote.
With the 49ers still in playoff contention, Shanahan has little time to silence his critics. The team faces a must-win situation in their next game to regain momentum and restore faith among their passionate fanbase. Whether Shanahan can rally his squad and adjust his strategies will determine if this loss is just a bump in the road or a sign of deeper issues.
