Saturday's harrowing news regarding San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan shocked the NFL world. Injuries he suffered in a car accident in mid-July will leave the nine-year head coach incapacitated to some extent during much of training camp.
However, his early absence has already brought out the best in the red and gold in a way that might have paralyzed any other organization, and it's why things are still looking up for the veteran-led squad.
Star offensive lineman Trent Williams was asked about the situation after practice, to which the future Hall of Famer gave a candid response.
"We got a lot of vets, man. [Shanahan] can really be on autopilot. We got that locker room," the veteran said.
In saying this, Williams may have inadvertently revealed the Niners' secret sauce to why they seldom experience on-field struggles. With veterans on every side of the ball, it's difficult for such a mature squad to fall into turmoil, even when its head coach suffers severe injuries that hinder his ability to lead.
49ers' age might be their greatest strength
The 49ers enter the season with the league's second-oldest roster and the oldest offensive unit. Williams, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Mike Evans represent the elder statesmen on offense, while Fred Warner and Nick Bosa serve as veteran defenders. In short, most of the 49ers' best players have either reached their prime or surpassed it.
While such a fact may be concerning for some, it presents a significant advantage other teams cannot replicate. The "autopilot" Williams referred to has to do with the day-in, day-out work that is required to be a great football player. Much of San Francisco's roster has already been doing that process for years, and there are few question marks as a result. Even the younger guys will have the good fortune of learning from their mentors, which will in turn prime them for success when their own number is called.
As a result, the Niners have successfully created an environment where players can manage the locker room themselves without needing coach interference. Shanahan and his coaching staff will be able to focus on what they are paid to do: scheme up the Xs and Os and execute accordingly.
The San Francisco training camp may be more uneventful than that of other teams, and in the best way possible. The roster has been here many times, and the team has the benefit of knowing exactly what it will get from its core members.
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