Kyle Shanahan can create explosive plays in the deep passing game
Kyle Shanahan’s offenses create explosive plays in the running and passing game. Matt Schaub and Matt Ryan enjoyed their best seasons as professionals, with Kyle Shanahan as a play-caller. The same can be said for Jimmy Garoppolo, the San Francisco 49ers signal caller from the end of 2017 until 2022. Brock Purdy took over the 49ers offense in 2022 and was rewarded with a lucrative contract extension for his play.
But how effective has the deep passing game been for the 49ers since 2022? There is no doubt of Purdy’s ability to lift the offensive scheme and offense, given the team’s success, putting aside 2024’s underwhelming season.
What if I told you the 49ers lead the NFL with the highest deep passing EPA per play since 2022?
The top two teams are led by Shanahan and a coach from his tree, Mike McDaniel.
The top five are San Francisco (0.659), Miami (0.656), Minnesota (0.619), Seattle (0.564), and Philadelphia (0.523). You’ll notice the big drop-off from the Shanahan tree to Seattle and Philadelphia. Shanahan, McDaniel, and Kevin O’Connell are high on the list of play callers for creating explosive passing plays.
The most fascinating part of this tackle is that three descendants of the Shanahan coaching tree represent the three most efficient teams on deep passes.
Brock Purdy certainly isn’t known for high-octane arm strength, but Kyle Shanahan has done a spectacular job of creating big-play opportunities for his quarterback. Since 2022, the 49ers are tied for third in the NFL in deep PFF receiving grade and have completed the second-most deep passes to receivers considered open or wide open, per PFF’s quarterback charting.
So much of the 49ers’ downfield passing success is due to Brandon Aiyuk’s ability to separate and his breakout 2023 season, as the 49ers were minutes away from bringing a Lombardi trophy back to Santa Clara.
In 2025, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing stand to benefit the most from Shanahan’s downfield passing attack with their speed. Will the 49ers continue to attack downfield at the clip they have since 2022?