SF 49ers: Debunking 3 myths about Kyle Shanahan

No. 1: Kyle Shanahan prefers a certain kind of quarterback

Perhaps no other myth about Kyle Shanahan was as defined as the Niners’ need for a new quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft.

His well-documented liking of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins helped spark the idea Shanahan preferred a pure pocket passer, someone who could properly execute a complex system involving bootlegs and plenty of play action. Subsequent workings with the Atlanta Falcons‘ Matt Ryan and San Francisco’s own, Jimmy Garoppolo, helped reinforce the idea Shanahan was all in on Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in this year’s draft.

San Francisco 49ers

Just take a look at this pre-draft assessment from SF 49ers insider, Matt Maiocco, of NBC Sports Bay Area:

Garoppolo was never automatic. That’s what Shanahan wants. He wants a quarterback who makes the plays that Shanahan draws up.

"I believe Shanahan likes Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Justin Fields of Ohio State and Trey Lance of North Dakota State are exceptional athletes who can make plays in a variety of ways. They are the popular choices. They are exciting performers. But do they give Shanahan what he most values in a quarterback? Jones is not eye-popping. And that is just fine. Shanahan has immense confidence in his ability to create plays that stress the rules of the defense. He wants a quarterback who sees it clearly and delivers it accurately. He does not want a quarterback whose instinct is to take off running when he does not immediately see someone open."

Instead, the Niners selected Trey Lance, a polar-opposite player when compared to Jones and someone who is far more an athlete than an NFL-ready pocket passer.

Sure, there will be those who buy the conspiracy theories of how Shanahan gave in to the pressure to not draft Jones, but that’s nothing more than speculation until proven otherwise. Even so, key San Francisco losses to more playmaking quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have proved the point.

Pocket passers only give so much, and Shanahan didn’t need to stick to whatever “preference” he might have had earlier.