The San Francisco 49ers' heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII left many questioning head coach Kyle Shanahan's decision-making during overtime.
In a bid to address lingering concerns, Shanahan engaged with reporters on Tuesday to elaborate on his decision-making process and the debate surrounding his choice to receive the ball first following the coin toss victory.
We told everyone as we were waiting for the coin toss, "Hey, review, everyone make sure they're sure before we go out.
Kyle Shanahan
"I believe we had a strong chance of winning the game if we scored on our opening drive," Shanahan began, emphasizing the potential advantage of having three points instead of zero.
He admitted that they didn't realize at the time how different the playoff overtime rules were compared to the regular season. However, given their offensive capabilities and Kansas City's defensive struggles, he stood by his decision as he felt it was still a good strategy.
Shanahan also addressed criticism from his players, who revealed after the game that they had not been fully informed about the new overtime rules.
"We had discussed the rules with our staff and believed we communicated the information effectively," Shanahan explained, acknowledging that it was ultimately a failure on their part for the message not to reach all players.
Despite the controversy surrounding his decision, Shanahan remained confident in his abilities as a coach and emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes moving forward.
The Impact on the Team
The loss marked the 49ers' third Super Bowl defeat in five seasons, leaving many fans and critics questioning whether this trend would continue.
Shanahan acknowledged that the team was feeling a mix of emotions after such a close and hard-fought game but emphasized the importance of staying focused on the future.
"We'll take some time to grieve, reflect, and come back stronger next season," he said, expressing his commitment to improving and growing as both a coach and an organization.
A Look Back at the Game
Shanahan discussed the game itself, touching on several key moments, such as their early 10-point lead, Mahomes' impressive comeback, and their defensive struggles towards the end of the game.
He shared his thoughts on Brock Purdy's performance, acknowledging that while he did well in the regular season, the playoffs presented a new challenge that sometimes proved too much for him.
The head coach also acknowledged the importance of having strong leadership and communication within the team, emphasizing the need for everyone to be on the same page moving forward.
Facing Criticism and Moving Forward
Shanahan addressed his criticism from fans and media, expressing his disappointment in those who have questioned his abilities as a coach.
He stressed the significance of maintaining focus on the current objective, reminding everyone of their shared humanity and the potential for both errors and growth through learning.
"I'll continue to work hard every day to be the best coach I can be for this team," he stated, showing his unwavering commitment to the 49ers and their success.
The Importance of Adapting
Shanahan acknowledged that the NFL's playoff overtime rules are different from those in the regular season and emphasized the importance of adapting quickly as a coach and a team.
I didn't even know about the new playoff overtime rule, so it was a surprise to me
Arik Armstead
He encouraged everyone to learn from this experience and prepare for future playoff games with a better understanding of these rules, ensuring they would be more informed and prepared should they reach overtime again.