Kyle Shanahan Explains The Reason Behind Not Discussing OT Rules With The Players Before Super Bowl
Coach Kyle Shanahan discussed potential outcomes for a game that may go into overtime with the San Francisco 49ers’ analytics group before the club began their most recent postseason journey.
Kyle Shanahan Explains The Reason Behind Not Discussing OT Rules With The Players Before Super Bowl
In March 2022, the NFL implemented new postseason overtime regulations that would provide each club a possession regardless of the actions taken by the team that initially gained possession of the ball (barring a defensive score). However, throughout that period, the Niners had not played in an overtime playoff game.
For both clubs, this meant that Sunday night’s Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs was unprecedented.
Kyle Shanahan on not explaining the rules to the players about OT for the Super Bowl:
“We asked the position coaches to do that, but na, I didn’t cover it during a meeting on the Super Bowl week. I don’t think that changes anything.” pic.twitter.com/a5B6skERMp
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) February 13, 2024
Furthermore, the story was further complicated by players’ admissions following the game that they were unaware of the overtime rules—new regulations that were implemented in 2022.
Although he didn’t hold any meetings on overtime before to the game, Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that he discussed the new system with his coaching staff and that they informed the players in advance of the Super Bowl.
“We told everyone as we were waiting for the coin toss to review everyone to make sure they’re sure before we go out,” Shanahan said at a press conference. “So, we asked position coaches to do that. But I didn’t cover it in a meeting on the Super Bowl week. I don’t think that changes anything.”
Do you agree with Chris Canty roasting Kyle Shanahan?
The niners took the ball first in OT & kicked a fg instead of going for it on 4th down.
With the new playoff overtime rules both teams get a guaranteed possession.#FTTB #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/FkU8SANyod
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) February 13, 2024
Whether they understood the finer points of the regulation or not, several 49ers stated on Tuesday that it did not alter the reality that they needed to try to score offensively and make a stop in order to defeat the Chiefs and win the eagerly anticipated sixth Lombardi Trophy for the team.
At the conclusion of regulation, quarterback Brock Purdy stated quarterbacks coach Brian Griese did, in fact, alert him to the regulations.
“He explained the rules to me and everything so I had an understanding of it,” said Purdy.
Niners' Kyle Shanahan didn't feel need to discuss new OT rules with players in lead-up to Super Bowlhttps://t.co/1QjQpxAYH6 pic.twitter.com/CbUdjGcZw7
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 14, 2024
Shanahan clarified on Tuesday that such conversations happened before to the playoffs, but he wanted to be adaptable based on how the match was going. Shanahan said he might have taken the ball second, where he would have known exactly what he needed to win the game before San Francisco’s first drive, if the game had been more high scoring.
“I always make [the decision] in the heat of battle with that information,” said Shanahan. “If it was like the Super Bowl the year before the one that seemed more like a shootout, I think I might have felt a little bit differently but having that information going in and the way ours was going, I didn’t feel differently. I felt accurate with what they recommended.”
The way Kyle Shanahan handled OT … his own players weren’t coached on the rules, and his strategy was mocked by the opponent. pic.twitter.com/ypMRefK8B1
— Taylor Price (@TaylorPrice) February 12, 2024
How many Super Bowls has Kyle Shanahan won?
“And I know that if I win a damn Super Bowl, that means I accomplished everything I set out to do, which isn’t even fixing perception.” As a head coach, Shanahan is 0-2 in Super Bowls after the 49ers’ 25–22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
How many Super Bowls 49ers lost?
San Francisco has now lost three straight Super Bowls, extending their 29-year title drought. With quarterback Steve Young, San Francisco’s first Super Bowl victory was in 1994 in Super Bowl XXIX.
There is zero benefit to taking the ball first with the new postseason OT rules.
I’m convinced that Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers were not aware of how the new OT works…
Huge mistake. The Chiefs were prepared. The 49ers were not. #SuperBowl #nfl #kyleshanahan pic.twitter.com/eueWa7Wxvu
— Practice Squad (@PracSquadPod) February 12, 2024
Is Mike Shanahan and Kyle Shanahan related?
In addition to his time with the Los Angeles Raiders and Washington Redskins, he had twenty seasons as head coach. He is the father of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
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