ProFootballTalk founder Mike Florio has an interesting idea for changing things for Kyle Shanahan.
Appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Tuesday, Florio mentioned how the Raiders sent Jon Gruden to the Buccaneers in 2002 and wondered why coaching trades aren't done more often. Ta.
“We feel Shanahan and the 49ers are nearing a point where a fresh start could be mutually beneficial,” Florio said, citing the Bears as a potential destination for the head coach.
“Are you kidding me if we get Shanahan and he’s on par with Caleb Williams?”
The 49ers, who made it to the Super Bowl last season but lost to the Chiefs, are 5-7 this year.
They have been hit by a spate of injuries, with wideout Brandon Aiyuk out for the season, running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on injured reserve, and left tackle Trent Williams and pass rusher Nick Bosa missed both of the team's final two games.
Eisen asked Florio why this gave him the impression that the 49ers and Shanahan would agree.
“There's nothing concrete, but look at the situation. It's been since 2017 that they've been banging their heads on doors trying to knock them down,” Florio said.
“It feels like the year is just coming to an end from the perspective of their core players. And you never know what's going on behind the scenes. When I mentioned the 49ers… It's been about 10 years since Jim Harbaugh was in his fourth year with the team. His first three years were very successful…we were at the time when the 49ers traded Harbaugh to the Cleveland Browns. I reported that it has reached that point.”
The Bears fired head coach Matt Eberflus last week after a series of late-game blunders, most recently for failing to recognize the passage of time during a Thanksgiving loss to the Lions. .
Thomas Brown has been named interim head coach.
Florio also mentioned Ravens head coach John Harbaugh as someone the Bears should consider calling and inquiring about in a trade.
