John Lynch: Kyle Shanahan’s offense could be “big challenge” for rookie

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The 49ers finally have their head coach in place and now they need to get into the process of filling the roster with players that are going to help Kyle Shanahan win games in Santa Clara in the coming years.

While they need help at many positions, it comes as no surprise that General Manager John Lynch says that “a huge emphasis” will be placed on finding a quarterback as that roster-filling process gets underway. Lynch said the team will look at “every scenario” to acquire the quarterback they need, but cautioned that handing the reins to a rookie right out of the gate might be too big a task.

“You get in Kyle Shanahan’s system and you’ve got 15-word plays,” Lynch said on KNBR, via the San Jose Mercury News. “The coach is in your ear but you still have to replicate that with confidence and authority. It’s a big challenge.”

There was a report over the weekend that Shanahan has interest in bringing Falcons backup and impending free agent Matt Schaub with him to the Niners. Schaub’s experience would help whoever the 49ers bring in as they tackle that challenge.

Lynch will be on PFT Live on NBCSN at 8:35 a.m. ET to share more about where the 49ers will be going as he and Shanahan take the reins of an organization that’s been adrift the last couple of years.

36 responses to “John Lynch: Kyle Shanahan’s offense could be “big challenge” for rookie

  1. .
    If Matt Schaub is the answer, then the question must be, ” How can the 49ers secure the #1 pick in next year’s draft? ”
    .

  2. Kyle Shanahan’s system:

    When you have a 28-3 lead deep in the 3rd quarter and your opponent gets hot, stop running the ball, run the hurry up offense and snap the ball with 14 seconds left on the play clock.

  3. Sounds like Lynch is making the case for bringing in Matt Schaub. A guy like Schaub will be really valuable all summer long, and from Monday through Saturday. They still need to find the guy for Sunday. Dallas found one in the 4th round last year. Lynch is a really smart guy, but it’s still going to come down to their ability to go out and find a great QB. Patrick Mahomes?

  4. I predict they will be cleaning house in a year or so, and Jed will be paying 2 more ghost salaries.

  5. Schaub would be a good holdover until a draft pick gets up to speed. Cousins would solve the problem once and for all, but I cant see the Skins letting him go.

  6. Lol Lynch knows nothing. It’s not even like he chose Shannahan. Shanahan is a great offensive mind that made Rex Grossman & Matt Schaub look good and RG3 look like a future hall of famer.

    John Lynch = Matt Millen 2.0

  7. Considering Robert Griffin’s play outside of his rookie year, I’m going to say John is way off on this one.

  8. Nothing like the challenge of working for Jed York though, John.

    Remember, if you can eat with a fork, you’re smarter than York.

  9. If there’s one coach who can install an offense quickly, it’s Kyle Shanahan. Dak Prescott showed us that it’s not too hard for a rookie QB (if you get the right one). Sounds like Lynch is doing the P.R. work necessary to prepare the fans and media for Matt Schaub. If Jed tried it, he’d get laughed out of the building. Jed’s no dummy. That’s why he hired Lynch. Doesn’t mean they’re going to win, but at least everyone will leave Jed alone for a while.

  10. If Kyle Shanahan learned anything from the super bowl, it’s that you can’t develop a guy into a great QB. You might be able to get a decent QB to put up the stats necessary to win an MVP, but you can’t teach a guy to perform under pressure. That’s something they get from their DNA. You either have it or you don’t. The 49ers can use Matt Schaub to keep the seat warm, but they have to find a winning QB in the draft.

  11. If they brought in Schuab I don’t think it would be as starter. He would be brought in to fulfill the role Rex Grossman ususually filled on teams where Shanahan coordinated: work with the QBs and help teach Shanahan’s offense to the rest of the team.

  12. If ANYBODY thinks that Schaub can “keep the seat warm”, be a “bridge QB”, etc., they are freaking delusional. Did y’all forget how his last full year as a starter he set the record for pick sixes? It’s like he was trying to throw it to the other team.. Then he goes to the Raiders and stinks the joint up so badly that they say, “Heck with the plan!” and start Carr when they intended to “red shirt” him for most of his rookie year.
    Mark my words, whoever is the #2 QB WILL be the starter by week 3 as Schaub is done! He’s Peyton in his last year without the ability to dissect defenses. He’s only going to be good as a de facto second QB coach, so the Niners better get it right on the QB front.

  13. Every 49er opponent would love to Shaub under center … he is a pick six just waiting to happen.

  14. This will b an exciting year, even if we don’t win… Complex system, needs super smart, quick & accurate QB and line. Will take a couple years so offensive focus in early recruiting is key.. Hope we draft a couple QBs, AND Schaub… Feel Trubisky is the closest to a Shanny model

  15. Shanahan is a pretty good coach who froze up at the critical moments of the Super Bowl. He’s not the first and he won’t be the last.

    Quinn should also be getting his fair share of the criticism. Why didn’t he overrule Shanahan and say keep running the ball? Why did he pass the buck in the critical moments of the Super Bowl. I guarantee you Belichick did not.

    Another factor is its very clear Shanahan already had his head in 9er land in the days before the Super Bowl instead of focusing on the big game. Why is no one asking why he brought the most important documents he’s ever been responsible for, the Super Bowl game plan, to media night with 1500 people milling around where he’d have zero chance to review it or work on it?

    The Pats have rules that do not allow players and coaches to take the gameplans out of their hotel rooms. They’re not allowed on the bus to media night. What was Shanahan thinking to take his plans to media night?

    He was clearly very distracted by his new HC gig, and I think the league should go back to not allowing coordinators to interview before the Super Bowl.

  16. bighoser says:
    Feb 8, 2017 11:09 AM

    If ANYBODY thinks that Schaub can “keep the seat warm”, be a “bridge QB”, etc., they are freaking delusional. Did y’all forget how his last full year as a starter he set the record for pick sixes? It’s like he was trying to throw it to the other team.. Then he goes to the Raiders and stinks the joint up so badly that they say, “Heck with the plan!” and start Carr when they intended to “red shirt” him for most of his rookie year.
    Mark my words, whoever is the #2 QB WILL be the starter by week 3 as Schaub is done! He’s Peyton in his last year without the ability to dissect defenses. He’s only going to be good as a de facto second QB coach, so the Niners better get it right on the QB front.

    ********************************
    Actually, you’re making a great argument for bringing in Schaub. The Raiders did it and they’re winning. The key was they drafted a great QB in the 2nd round, Derek Carr. The overall plan worked to perfection. Reggie McKenzie isn’t delusional, he’s the NFL Exec. of the Year!

  17. It’s strange, I don’t go on other stories not dealing with my team to bash those organizations. Lots of miserable bored people on here.

    Anyways, there isn’t a rookie worth starting day one in this year’s draft. So I would hope whoever they decide to pick up is in the third round or later to coach up.

  18. “Pats are praying they get to play the 49ers”

    I doubt it. They certainly don’t need to play one of the 2 worst teams in the league to get back to the playoffs.

    And since they played the NFCW this past season the 9ers will not be on their schedule next season.

  19. Why is everyone so infatuated with Patrick Mahomes? Have you seen his tape? He throws the ball like hes playing backyard football and he comes from an air raid offense which covers that up. The comparisons to Derek Carr and Dak Prescott are ridiculous.

  20. “You get in Kyle Shanahan’s system and you’ve got 15-word plays,”

    15-word plays…that would explain Kaeperdink’s sudden departure.

  21. Something that has never been said about Jay Cutler is that he is not smart. He could pick this offense up very quick. I think Jay would look good in a Niners uniform for a few years while a young QB learns the ins and outs of the Shanahan offense. I think the Niners 2nd round pick this year and a conditional pick next year would work out just fine. Plus it helps my Bears out.

  22. Apparently this is a true statement hell Atlanta has been running his offense all season and they had a hard time in 2nd half of SB LI…Aside from that let the excuses begin

  23. When I read “bring Schaub with him” I honestly didn’t know if that meant as a position coach or player.

    If player…yikes… They must really like a specific 2018 QB at the top of the draft.

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