Kyle Shanahan’s Coaching Tree Now Reaches Every Corner of the NFC West
The NFC West has long been one of the most competitive divisions in football - hard-hitting defenses, innovative offenses, and coaching rivalries that feel more like chess matches than football games. But as we look around the division heading into 2026, one thing is crystal clear: Kyle Shanahan’s fingerprints are everywhere.
No, the 49ers didn’t finish atop the NFC West standings in 2025. But if you think that’s slowed Shanahan’s influence, think again. His coaching tree has officially taken root in every franchise in the division, and the style of football being played out west now echoes his philosophy at every turn.
Arizona Joins the Shanahan Circle
The final domino fell in Arizona, where the Cardinals made a bold move by hiring Mike LaFleur as their new head coach after parting ways with Jonathan Gannon. It’s not just a coaching change - it’s a philosophical shift.
LaFleur’s connection to Shanahan runs deep. He got his NFL start back in 2014 under Shanahan in Cleveland, followed him to Atlanta, and then again to San Francisco when Shanahan took over the 49ers in 2017.
LaFleur was a key piece of that offensive staff before branching out on his own as the Jets’ offensive coordinator under Robert Saleh in 2021. Now, he’s back in the NFC West - this time with his own headset and the keys to a franchise.
Arizona’s decision to bring in LaFleur isn’t just about a fresh start. It’s a clear signal that they’re buying into the same offensive DNA that’s powered San Francisco’s success: motion-heavy schemes, quarterback-friendly reads, and a run game designed to stress every inch of the field.
Familiar Faces, Shared Philosophies
Of course, the rest of the division isn’t exactly new to the Shanahan way.
Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan go way back - back to their Washington days, where they were part of a young, now-legendary coaching staff. While McVay’s offense has evolved into its own distinct flavor, the roots are unmistakable. The formations, the misdirection, the emphasis on pre-snap motion - it’s all part of the same family tree.
And with LaFleur now in Arizona, McVay is expected to double down on that identity, likely bringing in another coordinator who fits the mold. It’s a cycle that keeps spinning, and Shanahan’s influence keeps growing.
Then there’s Seattle. The Seahawks might’ve made big changes at the top in recent years, but their offensive direction is still very much part of the Shanahan web.
Klint Kubiak, Seattle’s offensive coordinator, was Shanahan’s pass-game coordinator as recently as 2023 - a season that ended with another Super Bowl appearance for the 49ers. And if that last name sounds familiar, it should.
Klint’s brother, Klay Kubiak, is currently Shanahan’s offensive coordinator in San Francisco.
It’s not just a coaching tree anymore. It’s a coaching forest.
More Than Wins - It’s a Blueprint
Shanahan’s résumé speaks for itself: multiple playoff runs, several Super Bowl appearances, and an offense that’s constantly evolving. But what’s happening in the NFC West goes beyond wins and losses. It’s about influence.
Every team in the division is now led by someone who either came up under Shanahan or shares his offensive DNA. That means the way teams build their rosters, the way they develop quarterbacks, and the way they attack defenses on Sundays - it’s all being shaped by one man’s philosophy.
Even without a division title in 2025, Shanahan is still the most influential coach in the NFC West. His former assistants are now rivals.
His concepts are the foundation for game plans across the division. And every Sunday, when NFC West teams take the field, they’re all - in one way or another - playing a version of Shanahan’s game.
That’s not just legacy. That’s dominance.