According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the coaching staff of the San Francisco 49ers, led by head coach Kyle Shanahan, will once again not be present at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Coaches Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys, Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams, and Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers are not the only ones who have made this decision.
The 49ers parted ways with Steve Wilks after losing Super Bowl 58, and they still haven’t hired a new defensive coordinator. Shanahan is in the process of interviewing potential replacements.
Although 2017 is Shanahan’s third season without attending the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager John Lynch, the 49ers personnel office, and team scouts are anticipated to be in Indianapolis for the annual gathering.
Lynch said, “The good thing about Kyle is we’re always talking,” in response to a question regarding Shanahan’s choice to stay in Santa Clara during the NFL Scouting Combine last year. Everyone needs a little vacation after a demanding season. It truly eludes us. Our break will come after the draft. However, coaches do require that time to sort of refuel, and I believe we have a trust-based framework in place.”
The 49ers can study the exercises on their own and are still expected to participate in player interviews even without the coaching staff there.
Lynch went on, “Kyle’s absence does not imply that the Combine is not significant to him or to us. Not a bit closer to the reality. As a matter of fact, I believe that COVID showed us all that they can participate heavily in this through Zoom through the player interviews. They have access to observe the workouts. Everyone receives a tape, and you’ll view them later anyhow.”
