49ers HC Shanahan: I think the key to long success is having the right quarterback all that time

The 49ers will “host” the Seahawks on Sunday for the final game of the season. Seattle has something to play for and against a shorthanded Niners team many expect the road team to handle matters.

Kyle Shanahan was asked on Friday what in his mind makes Seattle succeed year after year and if there was anything he could apply to the 49ers that Seattle is doing. Here is Kyle’s response:

“I think the key to long success is having the right quarterback all that time, and then having a good coaching staff and good staff service. I think if you look at anybody, whether it’s Pittsburgh, whether it’s New England, whether it’s New Orleans, Green Bay, Seattle, all of the teams that have had great quarterbacks in the last decade with good coaches and good staff services, they “I have a chance to be in the playoffs year after year.

Shanahan has never pulled punches and was as straightforward as any coach in the league when speaking to the media. For some reason, the media doesn’t work with these quotes like they do with Shanahan’s QB’s starting quotes.

In this case, Shanahan is saying what everyone already knows: you need a QB to win in this league. Not just a QB, a healthy one. It is ridiculous to pay more money for a replacement quarterback. The Bears gave Nick Foles a lot of money because they didn’t know if Mitch Trubisky was “the guy.” We have seen how it works for bears.

Several fans want the 49ers to improve on the backup quarterback in case Jimmy Garoppolo is injured in the future. If you need to improve your backup quarterback, you need to improve your starter.

While many cling to Jimmy’s “pro” comments, it’s these types of quotes from Kyle that are telling. These quotes have been happening all season. Kyle tells us what he thought of the starter all year. From the quote above to Nick Mullens being the “smartest QB” in the room, the Monday night football show against the Bills – to saying that Jimmy was not injured in Seattle’s first game. Last week, Kyle said Garoppolo spends more time taking notes in meetings and is missing out on rehabilitation time.

The quotes are there, so we shouldn’t be surprised if the team moves this offseason.