49ers' Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch Aren't 'Going Anywhere,' amid Struggles, York Says
December 31, 2024
The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 collapse from a Super Bowl contender to a non-playoff team won't lead to major front office turnover this offseason, according to team owner Jed York.
When asked if head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch would return in 2025, York told Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard that "they're not going anywhere."
When pressed, York added to Kawakami: "You can write that, for sure. They're not going anywhere."
Shanahan said in response to York's comments, via David Bonilla of 49ersWebZone: "I've got a good relationship with Jed, and we speak almost every day, so hearing stuff in the media doesn't really change much for me. It's more what I have between him and myself."
York's comments came before the 49ers kicked off against the Detroit Lions on Monday afternoon, according to Kawakami. The Niners' offense went on to rack up 475 yards while Brock Purdy struggled with turnovers in the 40-34 Week 17 loss.
The speculation surrounding Shanahan's potential departure after this season began with NBC Sports' Mike Florio floating the Chicago Bears as a potential fit for Shanahan in a Dec. 3 appearance on the Rich Eisen Show.
Florio pointed out that a potential trade would give both the Bears and Shanahan a "fresh start."
Both Lynch and Shanahan weighed in on the report. Lynch called the discussion "rather comical." Shanahan then said he didn't "want to be any place in the world more than here," per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The speculation has since continued, driven by the theoretical draft haul the 49ers could receive in return for Shanahan's contract. After all, the New Orleans Saints received a first-round pick by trading Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos ahead of the 2023 season.
It sounds like York, who signed both Lynch and Shanahan to multi-year extensions ahead of the 2023 season, isn't buying into the chatter.
The Niners are missing multiple key players to injury. Only two Week 1 offensive line starters available for the Week 17 loss, which Purdy left early with an injury that could sideline him for the regular season finale. York could be expecting better outcomes with a hopefully healthy roster next season.
Rookie wideout Ricky Pearsall meanwhile recorded a career-high 141 receiving yards and a touchdown on eight catches in the loss, a positive sign regarding Lynch's decision to draft him in the first round last spring.
Shanahan has coached the 49ers since 2017 and has since led the team to two Super Bowl appearances. Lynch has held his position since 2023. It looks like both are on track to return as San Francisco looks to climb back into the playoff picture next winter.
