Kyle Shanahan is no stranger to the grind of NFL leadership-and it’s starting to show. The 49ers head coach has been making the rounds on social media lately, but not because of a bold play call or a postgame soundbite.
This time, it’s his appearance that’s caught fans’ attention. A side-by-side comparison from 2017 to now has folks marveling at just how much the job has aged him.
Nine years at the helm of one of the league’s most demanding franchises will do that to a guy.
Shanahan took over in 2017 at just 37 years old, inheriting a team that had lost its way since its last Super Bowl appearance. Since then, he’s led the 49ers to two Super Bowl appearances, four NFC Championship games, and three NFC West titles.
That’s a résumé most coaches would kill for. But in San Francisco, the standard is clear: finish the job.
And despite all the success, the Lombardi Trophy has remained just out of reach.
The 2025 season was another rollercoaster. The Niners finished second in the NFC West and made it to the divisional round, proving a lot of doubters wrong along the way.
But the playoff run ended with a thud-a 41-6 blowout loss to the division rival Seahawks that left a bitter taste in Shanahan’s mouth and sparked a fiery postgame press conference. Days later, the conversation shifted from the field to the feed, as fans resurfaced images of a younger Shanahan addressing the media back in 2017, around the time of Robert Saleh’s departure as defensive coordinator.
The contrast was jarring-and the internet took notice.
But while the memes were flying, the 49ers were already back to work. With Robert Saleh now officially taking over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, San Francisco has a major hole to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Saleh’s impact on the Niners’ defense was undeniable, and replacing him won’t be easy.
Analyst and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho didn’t mince words when reacting to the news. On his show “Speakeasy,” Acho issued a stark warning to Shanahan and the 49ers.
“San Francisco 49ers, you are, and we are in gigantic trouble,” Acho said. “I think it’s a terrible move for [Robert] Saleh.
You saw what happened to the defense when Robert Saleh went to the Jets. Kyle Shanahan was absolutely lost… Dumbfounded.”
Acho pointed to the dramatic drop-off in defensive performance after Saleh’s initial departure-going from a top-five unit to the bottom half of the league-as a cautionary tale. He emphasized that even with stars like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, scheme and leadership matter. “If the defensive coach hired is not the right one,” Acho said, “the season is over before it ever begins.”
That’s a strong take, but it’s not without merit. The 49ers’ identity has long been built on dominant defense, and while the roster still boasts elite talent, the right coordinator is critical to keeping that edge.
Enter Richard Sherman, former All-Pro cornerback and a key voice in the 49ers’ locker room during their last Super Bowl run. Sherman offered up a potential solution: Jim Schwartz, the current Browns defensive coordinator. If Schwartz doesn’t land the head coaching job in Cleveland, Sherman believes he could be the perfect fit in San Francisco.
Schwartz is no stranger to success. He’s known for building aggressive, fundamentally sound defenses-and he’s got the résumé to back it up. For a team like the 49ers, with championship aspirations and a win-now roster, a proven veteran like Schwartz could bring the stability and edge they need.
So while the memes about Shanahan’s aging may be lighthearted, the stakes in San Francisco are anything but. The 49ers are still in the thick of the NFC race, but with Saleh gone and a crucial hire looming, Shanahan’s next move might be one of the most important of his career.
If he gets it right, the Niners could be right back in the Super Bowl conversation. If not, 2026 could be another year of what-ifs.