What started out as a hypothetical, borderline-ridiculous idea, is now being talked about on a grand scale. At first, the thought of the Chicago Bears trading for San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan seemed like a pipe dream.
But, maybe it isn't as crazy as we once thought. Yes, fans have started to try and give legs to the idea on social media. It's been a fun experience. However, the thought has crept into the minds of the national media.
At first, it was a proposal put out there by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, but now, the likes of Colin Cowherd have grasped onto the idea. And, just recently, Cowherd decided to try and make sense of it all.
"Kyle Shanahan is smart. He has a losing record in San Francisco without Christian McCaffrey. He's staring down the barrel of signing Brock Purdy -- injured for the second time -- to a big deal," Cowherd noted in a segment with Danny Parkins.
For one, he's not wrong. Sure, Brock Purdy had looked like a potential franchise quarterback for a while, and he still might be. But, the Niners will have to pay upwards of $60 million annually to keep him around, and injuries might start to become a real question mark.
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"It is an old, expensive, brittle roster," he said of the 49ers' current situation.
As for the Bears? Cowherd thinks Shanahan would like what he sees.
"And here are the Bears. Good roster. You get power. Quarterback is free for four years. Chicago is a massive football brand. And to be the savior of it? I think he takes the call," Cowherd finished.
In response to Cowherd's take, Parkins asked the question of whether or not the Niners would be willing to let Shanahan leave San Francisco.
Parkins made some great points; points that most football fans would make as well. Sure, this season has been rough for San Francisco. But, they do still have a ton of talent on that roster. When everybody is healthy, they're a clear Super Bowl contender, and Vegas would agree.
Things would have to get really bad for the Niners to allow Shanahan to be dealt. Either the relationship would have to sour, or Shanahan would have to make it very clear he wanted to leave. Regardless, things would have to take a dramatic swing.
If San Francisco pays Purdy, which they probably will, it's going to be difficult to see Shanahan leaving. Purdy's success has come mostly due to Shanahan and that system. The fear of what might happen to Purdy, without Shanahan, is going to play a factor in this as well.
There are still a few weeks to see what ends up happening with several coaching candidates, but things are going to ramp up here real quick.
