Why Pearsall loves playing for 49ers mastermind Shanahan originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As Ricky Pearsall’s rookie season in the NFL is coming to an end, the 49ers receiver couldn’t be happier to play for coach Kyle Shanahan.
The 24-year-old had 141 receiving yards Monday night. 40-34 loss to the Detroit Lionsand after the game, Pearsall shared with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt what he loved about playing under Shanahan.
“He’s a mastermind,” Pearsall told Britt. “We’ve developed a really good relationship throughout this time, and he’s one of the best to do it. Even before I joined the team, I already knew Coach Shanahan and his offense, and how well he could be creative and the ways he could put guys in different positions to get them involved.”
49ers CEO Jed York removed any doubt about Shanahan’s future with the team ahead of Monday’s game. telling Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard as coach and president of football operations/general manager John Lynch “don’t go anywhere” despite a dismal 2024 NFL season.
The 49ers, however, faced plenty of adversity during this down year, including countless injuries to star players and heartbreaking off-the-field incidents, including attempted armed robbery from Pearsall in August, which allowed the receiver to recover from a gunshot wound to the chest.
But it’s clear Pearsall is happy knowing Shanahan’s future is secure — after all, the coach played a large role in the decision to draft Pearsall No. 31 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He showed what San Francisco saw in him in Monday’s loss, hauling in eight receptions on 10 targets with one touchdown.
And after a slow start after much adversity, it appears that choice could end up paying off for both player and coach.
“He’s one of the best to ever do it, so I’m very excited to continue working with him,” Pearsall told Britt.
