SANTA CLARA — Somewhat astonishingly, or somewhat as a neon sign depicting the NFL’s win-now mandate, only one NFL coach has a longer playoff drought with their current team than Kyle Shanahan.
He is a mere two years into a 49ers tenure that remains promising, with pressure to win inevitably mounting, per NFL protocol.
Only Washington’s Jay Gruden has missed the last three postseasons, and he’s gone just once in five years since replacing Mike Shanahan, Kyle’s father.
Failing to make the playoffs tests owners’ patience. Changes ensue, such as 15 coaches getting hired over the past 15 months.