San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the NFL's premier offensive minds. Yet, despite his reputation as an elite play caller, he still isn't considered the league's best.

Daniel Rios of Essentially Sports recently ranked the NFL's top 10 offensive play callers entering the 2026 season, placing Shanahan at No. 3 behind Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.


Shanahan has earned widespread respect for his ability to exploit opposing defenses like few coaches in the league. Since taking over the 49ers in 2017, he has built one of the NFL's most innovative and consistently productive offenses.

Last season may have been one of Shanahan's finest coaching performances. Despite a roster ravaged by injuries, he guided the 49ers back to the playoffs, further strengthening his reputation as one of football's top strategists.

"Few coaches can manipulate a defense quite like San Francisco's 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan," Rios wrote. "His offense is built around making every play feel the same until the last second. The outside zone running game remains the foundation, but Shanahan's ability to build play-action concepts has made his system nearly impossible to defend when executed properly.

"Shanahan's use of motion, shifts, and personnel groupings creates favorable angles in both the run and pass games. Perhaps his greatest strength is the production he can create regardless of the personnel. Running backs, receivers, and quarterbacks have all posted career seasons in his offense, showing his scheme creates opportunities."

So why does Shanahan trail McVay and Reid?


The answer is simple: championships.

While Shanahan has led the 49ers to multiple Super Bowl appearances and several deep playoff runs, he has yet to capture the franchise's elusive sixth Lombardi Trophy. Both of San Francisco's Super Bowl appearances under his leadership ended in heartbreaking losses.

"While Shanahan has reached multiple Super Bowls, late-game offensive struggles have prevented him from securing multiple championships," Rios wrote. "Even so, from a pure X's and O's standpoint, there are few offensive minds capable of matching his weekly game plans."

If Shanahan can finally deliver the 49ers' sixth Super Bowl title, it would strengthen his case to be considered the NFL's premier play caller and potentially elevate him above McVay and Reid in future rankings.

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