Richard Sherman Defends 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan's Job Security

Former 49ers star says Shanahan is a top-5 NFL coach who won't be on the hot seat even if the team misses the playoffs in 2026.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:09pm by

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Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman strongly defended head coach Kyle Shanahan's job security, saying Shanahan is one of the top coaches in the NFL and would not be on the hot seat even if the 49ers miss the playoffs in 2026. Sherman argued that Shanahan's coaching acumen is so respected that 15-20 other NFL teams would immediately hire him if the 49ers parted ways.

Why it matters

Shanahan's future with the 49ers has been a topic of discussion among fans and media, but Sherman's comments provide a player's perspective on Shanahan's standing as an elite NFL coach whose job is not in jeopardy despite the team's ups and downs.

The details

On his podcast, Sherman was asked if Shanahan's job would be in danger if the 49ers missed the playoffs in 2026. Sherman dismissed the idea, saying Shanahan would be "on an iceberg" and that 15-20 other NFL teams would immediately try to hire him if the 49ers let him go. Sherman praised Shanahan's coaching acumen, noting that he kept the 49ers competitive in 2025 despite major injuries to key players like Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Nick Bosa, and Fred Warner.

  • In 2025, the 49ers dealt with significant injuries to key players.
  • The 2026 NFL season is upcoming.

The players

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who is widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the NFL.

Richard Sherman

A former cornerback for the 49ers who is now a podcast host and analyst, and who strongly defended Shanahan's job security.

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What they’re saying

“If Kyle Shanahan misses the playoffs this year, would he be on the hot seat? Absolutely not, absolutely not. He wouldn't even be close. He'd be on an iceberg; he'd still be on an absolute iceberg.”

— Richard Sherman, Former 49ers Cornerback

“There's a reason people think about him and hold his name in such high regard. I know he hasn't had success in winning the Super Bowl. His team is always in the running. You know they're always going to be a factor, even this year where you lose your top three, four best players throughout the season, you lose your quarterback for almost half the season, he still put out a competitive team.”

— Richard Sherman, Former 49ers Cornerback

What’s next

The 49ers will look to bounce back in the 2026 NFL season and make a playoff push, with Kyle Shanahan's job security firmly intact despite any potential setbacks.

The takeaway

Richard Sherman's strong defense of Kyle Shanahan's coaching abilities and job security highlights the widespread respect Shanahan has earned around the NFL, even if the 49ers fall short of the playoffs in a given season. Shanahan's consistent success and ability to keep the team competitive despite major injuries demonstrate why he is considered one of the league's elite head coaches.