49ers CEO Recalls Moment Kyle Shanahan Told Him the 3rd-String QB Was Best QB on Roster

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York has consistently valued Coach Kyle Shanahan’s candid communication, dating back to their initial meeting where Shanahan openly assessed the team’s roster as the weakest in the NFL. Uncertain of what to expect, York awaited Shanahan’s discussion during the first week of the 2022 training camp.

“He’s like, ‘I think our third-string quarterback is our best quarterback,’” York recalled Thursday as his team prepares for the Super Bowl. “I’m like, ‘OK. What does that mean?”

The significance of Shanahan’s honesty was magnified as the 49ers had invested heavily, trading three first-round picks to select Trey Lance as the third overall pick just over a year earlier. Despite this, they retained Jimmy Garoppolo with his hefty $20 million salary on the roster, a quarterback who had contributed to the team’s Super Bowl appearance in 2019 and NFC title game presence the year before.

“One thing that owners don’t love to hear when they’ve invested money and or draft picks or both into people is that the last pick in the draft is the guy that we think is the best,” York said. “That’s generally not great news. But he’s honest and he let it play out the right way.”

The significance of Shanahan’s honesty was magnified as the 49ers had invested heavily, trading three first-round picks to select Trey Lance as the third overall pick just over a year earlier. Despite this, they retained Jimmy Garoppolo with his hefty $20 million salary on the roster, a quarterback who had contributed to the team’s Super Bowl appearance in 2019 and NFC title game presence the year before.

In Week 13, when Jimmy Garoppolo was sidelined, Brock Purdy stepped into the quarterback role for the 49ers and impressively secured the starting position, winning his first seven starts. Despite an unfortunate elbow injury during the NFC title game against Philadelphia, which disrupted the Niners’ playoff journey, CEO Jed York wasn’t taken aback as he had anticipated this possibility months earlier.

York expressed confidence in the team’s resilience when Purdy assumed the quarterback role last year, highlighting the calm demeanor despite potential challenges. Purdy’s performance led to him firmly establishing himself as the starter, resulting in the trade of Trey Lance to Dallas in August for a fourth-round pick.

Purdy bounced back from his elbow injury in the subsequent season, delivering an outstanding performance by leading the league in passer rating (113) and yards per attempt (9.6). His remarkable achievements, including setting a franchise record with 4,280 passing yards, earned him recognition as an MVP finalist.

This exceptional play not only solidified Purdy’s position but also contributed to the 49ers’ successful campaign, granting them a shot at the elusive Super Bowl title. Despite York’s previous Super Bowl losses in 2012 and 2019, along with four NFC title game defeats, this season brought renewed hope for the franchise’s first championship in 29 seasons. The Niners, under Purdy’s leadership, aimed to secure the Super Bowl victory that had eluded them for nearly three decades.

Jed York, expressing the profound disappointment of losing in the NFC championship game, deemed it “the worst feeling in the world.” However, the Super Bowl journeys for the 49ers under York’s leadership have been equally challenging.

In Super Bowl 47 against the Baltimore Ravens, the Niners found themselves a mere 5 yards away from securing the go-ahead score in the final two minutes. Fast forward to Super Bowl 54 against the Kansas City Chiefs, and they held a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, only to succumb to a 31-20 defeat.

Reflecting on the rollercoaster of emotions, York recalled the fleeting moments of anticipation when leading by 10 points in a Super Bowl. The prospect of a celebratory parade and Disneyland trips abruptly shifted as victory slipped away, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the NFL.

As the 49ers prepare for another encounter with the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas, York embraces the opportunity with a sense of anticipation and savoring the moment. He acknowledges the transient nature of opportunities in the NFL, emphasizing the importance of making the most of the chance and celebrating the journey, regardless of the outcome.