49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan Shines as NBC Super Bowl Analyst

Shanahan's insightful commentary suggests he could have a future in broadcasting after coaching

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan made a successful debut as a Super Bowl pregame analyst for NBC, delivering insightful commentary and analysis that showcased his football expertise and charismatic on-air presence. Shanahan's performance has led to speculation that he could pursue a career in broadcasting after his coaching days are over.

Why it matters

Shanahan's ability to translate his deep knowledge of the game into accessible and engaging analysis for a national audience suggests he has the potential to become a top NFL analyst. This could open up a lucrative post-coaching career path for Shanahan, who has yet to win a Super Bowl as a head coach.

The details

Shanahan was recruited by NBC's NFL executive producer Fred Gaudelli to join the network's Super Bowl pregame coverage, with the directive to "talk football and have fun doing it." Shanahan delivered, providing insightful commentary on topics ranging from the Seahawks' defensive prowess to Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's on-field demeanor. Shanahan's authentic, conversational style and willingness to poke fun at his own coaching struggles were well-received by viewers.

  • Shanahan joined NBC's Super Bowl pregame show on February 2, 2026, six days before Super Bowl LX.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who has yet to win a Super Bowl as a head coach or offensive coordinator.

Fred Gaudelli

The NFL executive producer for NBC Sports, who recruited Shanahan to join the network's Super Bowl pregame coverage.

Fred Warner

A linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, who also made a successful debut as a TV analyst during the Super Bowl pregame show.

Drake Maye

The quarterback for the New England Patriots, who was praised by Shanahan for his humble yet confident on-field demeanor.

Klint Kubiak

The offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, whose penchant for calling deep passes was analyzed by Shanahan.

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What they’re saying

“We told Kyle we were hiring him to talk football and have fun doing it. We know him well enough to know that he would deliver.”

— Fred Gaudelli, NBC Sports' NFL executive producer

“When you watch the silent tape, you can see a guy's character on film the way he plays. He plays in a humble way, yet confident.”

— Kyle Shanahan

“The few times that I have played him, the times that I can get a lick on him early, it's just like most running backs -- that kind of changes the way that they run the football.”

— Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers linebacker

What’s next

Shanahan's successful debut as a Super Bowl analyst has led to speculation that he could pursue a career in broadcasting after his coaching days are over. It remains to be seen if he will receive any additional recruiting calls from network producers.

The takeaway

Kyle Shanahan's insightful and engaging performance as a Super Bowl analyst for NBC suggests he has the potential to become a top NFL commentator after his coaching career. His ability to translate his deep football knowledge into accessible analysis for a national audience, combined with his charismatic on-air presence, could open up a lucrative post-coaching career path for the 49ers head coach.