The 49ers’ inability to close out three NFC West games still had Shanahan steaming after the season. They coughed up fourth-quarter leads in losses to the L.A. Rams (Weeks 3 and 15), the Cardinals in Week 5, and the Seahawks on Nov. 17.

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch felt the need to step in and defend head coach Kyle Shanahan after a reporter referenced past comments the coach made about special teams. During the duo’s end-of-season press conference,

Asked to evaluate Pearsall's year in their end-of-season media session, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch celebrated the collegiate Gator for overcoming adversity as a first-year pro, as he really came through for his team.