As the San Francisco 49ers make their return to the Super Bowl for the second time in five seasons, there’s considerable discussion about the team’s “unfinished business,” particularly for coach Kyle Shanahan. However, this isn’t solely about addressing past shortcomings for Shanahan; it’s about seeking redemption. The upcoming Super Bowl LVIII will bring the 49ers face-to-face with the Kansas City Chiefs, a familiar opponent from Super Bowl LIV, where the Chiefs secured a 31-20 victory in a game that was closer than the final score suggests. The 49ers, under Shanahan’s coaching, had a 10-point lead with six and a half minutes left but failed to protect it, resulting in a missed opportunity.
Shanahan’s Super Bowl LI experience as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons is also part of this narrative. In that game, the Falcons led 28-3 late in the third quarter against the New England Patriots, only to suffer a historic collapse and lose 34-28 in overtime. Shanahan’s play-calling decisions, opting for passes instead of runs, played a significant role in the defeat. Fast forward three years, Shanahan found himself in a similar situation, this time as the head coach of the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Yet again, a substantial lead in the fourth quarter slipped away as he chose to pass instead of relying on the running game.
Now, with another opportunity at the Super Bowl, Shanahan has a chance at redemption. The hope is that he has learned from past mistakes and can change the narrative surrounding his coaching legacy. Despite being recognized as one of the game’s innovative play-callers, Shanahan has faced criticism for not closing out crucial games. The upcoming Super Bowl provides an opportunity to alter that perception.
In reflecting on the team’s recent win against Detroit, Shanahan expressed a desire to address the “unfinished business” and emphasized the eagerness of the team to compete in Super Bowl LVIII, which will take place in Las Vegas. Shanahan, with a chance for redemption, understands the stakes and the expectations associated with coaching in the Super Bowl, especially considering his father Mike Shanahan’s success with three Super Bowl rings. As Kyle Shanahan heads to his third Super Bowl appearance, the narrative extends beyond “unfinished business,” with redemption at the forefront of his aspirations.
