Kyle Shanahan’s postgame message reveals mindset after Seahawks blowout

San Francisco’s season ended Saturday night abruptly at Lumen Field, where the Seattle Seahawks rolled to a 41-6 playoff win and blocked the 49ers from reaching the NFC Championship.

The defeat was decisive from the opening stretch and marked the second time in three weeks that Seattle controlled the matchup, this one carrying finality for Kyle Shanahan’s club.

Afterward, Shanahan focused less on the score and more on perspective. Addressing reporters, he explained that his message to players centered on the entire journey rather than the final result.

“We’re disappointed today,” Shanahan said. “We obviously didn’t have it today. Credit to them. Try not to harp on that. We can discuss some of that stuff on Monday when we get back together. I thanked them for the whole season, for how much they battled for everything. I know everyone was sick about tonight, how it went in every facet, but I tried not to make it about tonight when I was with them. Thanked them for what they’ve done all year and been extremely proud of everyone in that room throughout the year.”

That approach reflected a season few expected to last this long. San Francisco absorbed major losses early, including Nick Bosa’s torn ACL in Week 3, extended absences for George Kittle, and time on the sideline for Brock Purdy. Even so, the team pushed into the divisional round, earning respect despite a difficult ending.

Seahawks’ surge flips familiar rivalry script

The outcome underscored how dramatically the balance has shifted between these rivals. The 49ers opened the season with a 17-13 win at Lumen Field, their seventh victory in eight meetings with Seattle dating back several years, including a 2022 playoff result.

For Shanahan, that stretch represented a reversal from 2017 through 2021, when his teams went 2-8 against the Seahawks.

Recent games told a different story. Seattle seized the NFC West title and conference home-field advantage in Week 18 at Levi’s Stadium, then backed it up Saturday.

Across those two contests, San Francisco managed only 409 total yards and three field goals. Purdy accounted for three of the team’s four turnovers, while Seattle finished both games without a giveaway.

Seattle’s physical edge was clear on the ground. The Seahawks rushed for 180 yards in the 13-3 Week 18 win and followed with 175 more in the playoff rout. San Francisco, by contrast, produced just 161 rushing yards combined in the two losses, with Christian McCaffrey largely contained.

Now Seattle moves on to the NFC Championship at Lumen Field, where another division rival awaits, while the 49ers turn toward an offseason shaped by both resilience and a sobering finish.

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