Despite literally having not had a single snap this season with their offensive stars intact, the 49ers have found a way to 5-2 and credit can only go to Kyle Shanahan for its offensive production.
We've somehow snuck almost to halfway to the season, and the San Francisco 49ers have moved to 5-2 for the season off the back of some unexpected production from both sides of the ball.
The team had been discounted as true contenders, but unlike last season, the Niners managed to find a trick it just couldn't find last year in similar situations: Just find a way to win, no matter what.
The 20-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football doesn't read like an offensive juggarnaut performance, but keep in mind Atlanta had held the Buffalo Bills to a mere 14 points the week prior, and San Francisco might have had more points if not for an inopportune interception in enemy territory in the first half.
Read More:Falcons provide much-needed elixir to woeful part of 49ers offense
It's even more impressive when you consider that for the offensive side, the skill players seem to be long more on the injury report than the stat sheet.
I mean, seriously, who thought Christian McCaffrey was going to be the healthy weapon this season?
Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings and George Kittle have all missed some or all of the season so far. Yet somehow, San Francisco just keeps going. The defense, newly rejuvenated under the returning Robert Saleh, deserves its flowers as well.
But make no mistake, this article is about Kyle Shanahan: the deserved Coach of the Year winner so far this season.
It isn't just about his genius on offense, but how he motivates his players who have to step into shoes some would consider impossible to feel:
#49ers HC Kyle Shanahan with a masterclass in motivation for his young LB group đź’Ş
He showed them Fred Warner’s rookie debut from 2018 — wearing No. 48 and “no swag.” Then compared it to their Week 6 film.
“If I judged only those two games, I’d have picked you guys over Fred.… pic.twitter.com/6tdh2dwKZ5
— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) October 18, 2025
But going back to the offense, it's amazing how good it's looked with so many key personnel out.Mac Jones has revived his NFL career, Kendrick Bourne has turned the clock back with some big performances, and the Niners might have finally found their No. 2 tight end in Jake Tonges.
Has it been perfect? No. But how many coaches can honestly claim to do what Shanahan has done? The number can be counted on one hand. And behind some pretty pedestrian blocking at times, too (although in fairness, he and the 49ers front office have to cop one on the chin for not beefing it up more).
The offensive reinforcements will slowly return, and then the 49ers can truly open up the offense. If they can be 5-2 now with the injury report as it is, then there's no reason they can't make some noise in the playoffs with the schedule opening up a little more for the second half of the season.
And no reason why Shanahan won't be Coach of the Year either.