Kyle Shanahan has not forgotten the challenges his team faced in the 2020 season. The San Francisco 49ers were forced to leave their state and live in a hotel in Arizona due to COVID-19 restrictions. Shanahan expressed his frustration, stating, “We got kicked out of here because we couldn’t practice football outside [in California].” Despite the difficulties, the 49ers are now set to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII. This rematch of Super Bowl LIV, which took place in Miami and saw the Chiefs emerge victorious, will now be played in Las Vegas.
SAN FRANCISCO’S COVID STRUGGLES: SHANAHAN OPENS UP ABOUT TOUGH 2020 SEASON
In a shocking turn of events, the San Francisco 49ers went from Super Bowl contenders to a disappointing 6-10 record in the 2020 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan recently spoke out about the challenges his team faced during that tumultuous year, particularly due to the chaos caused by the COVID pandemic.
Shanahan revealed that the lack of preparation time was a major hurdle for the team. With no offseason and no meetings, the 49ers found themselves reviewing the Super Bowl performance during training camp. It was a far cry from the usual routine and left the team feeling unprepared for the upcoming season.
The NFL offseason schedule was also greatly affected by the pandemic. Free agency and the draft were conducted virtually, and mini camps and preseason games were canceled. Shanahan admitted that as a coach, it was easier for him to adapt to the uncertainty of whether the season would even happen. However, he recognized that the players had a much harder time dealing with the limbo caused by the COVID situation.
The lack of fans in the stadium added to the surreal atmosphere. Shanahan described it as “weird” to play in an empty stadium, with no crowd to energize the team. On top of all these challenges, the 49ers had to overcome numerous injuries throughout the season, making it even more difficult to find success on the field.
The COVID restrictions also took a toll on the team. Even in their temporary home in Arizona, the 49ers were subject to strict rules that prevented them from spending time together outside of practice. Meals and meetings had to be conducted separately, creating an isolating environment for the players and staff.
Looking ahead, Shanahan expressed his hope that the team never has to go through a season like that again. The 49ers managed to bounce back in the 2021 season, finishing with a 10-7 record and making it to the NFC Championship Game. Now, they have their sights set on winning the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, hoping to bring an end to this challenging chapter in their history.
Matthew Davis, an NFL reporter, covers this story for the tabloid.
