“We’re Still Grinding”: 49ers GM Addresses Coach Shanahan’s Comment on Better Team
San Francisco 49ers General Manager Scot McCloughan was questioned about Coach Shanahan’s admission that the 2024 team is not as strong as the 2023 club. McCloughan clarified that Shanahan likely meant the team hasn’t earned the right to be considered better, citing the team’s record and emphasizing that the story is still being written.
The Niners are currently 11th in the NFC and last in the NFC West, with a 2-10 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. According to Next Gen Stats, they have a 10 percent chance of making the playoffs, with a 5 percent chance of winning the division.
The 49ers last missed the playoffs in 2020, which followed their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV. The team has since appeared in each of the past three NFC Championship Games.
Regardless of the current struggles, Coach Shanahan is reportedly a highly sought-after talent in the coaching market, making it likely that other teams would vie for his services should the 49ers opt to part ways with him. Instead, the 49ers are advised to ride out the storm and reboot for the 2025 season, when the schedule is expected to soften.
