Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers were dealt a tough hand in the 2025 NFL season.

But San Francisco did not fold, sitting with a 9-4 record heading into its late-season bye week. 

The word general manager John Lynch keeps going back to when describing the 2025 49ers: “resiliency,” he told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on “49ers Game Plan.” Lynch credits his coach as the source of that resiliency. 

“I think Kyle’s leadership has been as good as I’ve ever seen it,” Lynch asserted. “He’s always been great, but he’s handled this year extremely well; just focusing on exactly what we can control, and the guys have taken his lead.” 

Lynch notes that Shanahan’s frank approach elicits a strong response from the team. 

“The great thing with Kyle is he’s never going to fib to his team,” Lynch explained. “Some people believe in ‘speak it into existence.’ Kyle likes to see it. He likes showing it with film. And so, I think he’s been extremely honest with our team.” 

Lynch used the preparation against the Cleveland Browns as an example of that honesty. It would be easy to underestimate a reeling 3-8 opponent, but Shanahan maintained a high standard of preparation. 

” ‘I expect this to be a tight game, it’s going to be tough weather,’ all those things, and I think Kyle’s always honest,” Lynch recounted, explaining Shanahan’s mindset for preparation. “So they know, and they always have so much belief in Kyle that he’s going to do what it takes to get them ready to play.” 

Injuries have been the biggest challenge for the 49ers this season. It’s a convenient excuse for a lost season, but Lynch commends Shanahan for moving past such a hurdle to find success. 

“It hurts when you find out you lose a Fred Warner or a Nick Bosa,” Lynch said. “But after you kind of go through that gut punch – OK, I got to go face my team and let them know that we still have a really good football team and we can proceed forward, as hard as that is. And he’s done a really good job at towing that line.” 

Shanahan’s leadership has delivered the 49ers a 9-4 record and a firm spot in the playoff push. The long-awaited bye week gives him and his team a breath to recoup for the final four-game stretch of the regular season. 

“I’m really excited and proud with the way our guys – and when I say guys, I mean our entire organization – has handled it,” Lynch said. “It’s been a grind, there’s a lot that’s transpired with injuries and such, but I think resiliency is the word I just keep going back to.” 

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast