Most football fans know the name Kyle Shanahan by now. He is one of the best head coaches in the NFL, having led the San Francisco 49ers to two Super Bowls in the past five years. He’s also regarded as arguably the best offensive mind in the game today. A lot of that comes from learning at the knee of his father, Mike Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl champion himself. This family is gifted with libraries of football knowledge and has dominated the league offensively for the past 30 years.
That is why it would be smart to listen to them when they have something to say. Shanahan certainly dropped a bombshell during his Wednesday press conference when asked about Caleb Williams.
Run that back for a second. One of the best throwers of the football ever. Not in the league right now. Ever. Keep in mind that Shanahan has been coaching in the NFL since 2004. He was around when Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were at the peak of their powers. He witnessed the rise of Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Patrick Mahomes. That doesn’t count him watching his dad coach John Elway when he was growing up. This man has seen the best arms in NFL history. For him to put Williams in that category is incredible.
Shanahan knows what guys like Caleb Williams can do to you.
After all, most of his heartbreaking playoff exits as a head coach came at the hands of an elite thrower. In 2019, it was Mahomes in the Super Bowl. In 2021, it was Stafford in the NFC championship. Then, in 2023, it was again Mahomes in the Super Bowl. The only exception was Jalen Hurts in 2022, and that was because all of Shanahan’s quarterbacks were hurt. He understands how quickly games can shift with an elite arm going against you. It only takes one big play to shift the entire momentum of a game.
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That is what Caleb Williams can do, and has done all season for the Bears. It was the flea flicker against Dallas. It was the rocket to Colston Loveland in the final seconds in Cincinnati. Or it was the dime to Cole Kmet running to his left in Philadelphia. That is what big arms can do. It is why teams always prioritize arm strength when evaluating quarterbacks. They can be game-changers if utilized correctly. Shanahan knows from experience, and isn’t about to shortchange Williams.
