It has been reported that the 49ers interest in hiring Mike Shanahan for the head coaching position has intensified. This renewed interest likely stems from the fact that they couldn't land Jackson, and Koetter and Coughlin might soon wind up in other places. While Shanahan has connection to the last 49ers championship team, he hasn't coached since 2013, a 3-13 season for the Redskins that effectively was the beginning of the RGIII downfall. His overall body of work is impressive, but he hasn't been that good of a good coach since him and Elway were separated. While Shanahan is known to be QB-friendly, many speculate that he would want to start anew in SF without Kaepernick. Is that really the right move for the 49ers?
Kaepernick was able to orchestrate some incredible feats early in his career. It got to the point where some were claiming he could be the best QB the 49ers have ever had. Something happened over the last couple of years that has made him falter a bit. Overall, his 2014-2015 season wasn't terrible, but he was unfairly treated for not being able to hold up godly numbers year in and year out, especially as a developing QB still. In this past season, injuries plagued him, so there is some excuse to the low numbers. Plus, the offensive line did no favors for him when he was not hurt. Overall, I think Kaepernick has been given unfair treatment. 49ers gave the extension to Kaepernick knowing he was their guy. Why would you quit on him now?
The truth is that Shanahan would probably want to start fresh with a new QB (likely one the 49ers draft). I think it would be a big mistake for the 49ers to give up on him after one "just good" season, and one injury-filled one. I like to believe that Kaepernick still has a lot of growth as a person and a QB to go, and that he can still be a good one in this league. If 49ers dump him away now, they will regret it later. The QBs in this year's draft are uninspiring, and Blaine Gabbert is in no way a starter. Kaepernick is the QB that the 49ers have that they know what they'll get out of him. He is better than what is out there at this point. Maybe I am in the minority about Kap, but I really don't care. I like him. I think he is still good. That's all there is to it.
IF Mike Shanahan doesn't want to work with Kaepernick, then the 49ers shouldn't want to work with Shanahan. It SHOULD be as simple as that. Instead, Baalke and York are actually considering it, and pretty strongly too. 49ers would be making a big mistake hiring a washed-up coach who doesn't want to work with a very good QB. But, you know what they say; the grass is always greener on the other side.
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