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Kyle Shanahan explains interesting play-calling dynamic with 49ers’ Brock Purdy

After five years together, the partnership between coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Brock Purdy has reached its peak this season, with Purdy at the front of the NFL MVP discussion for leading an elite 49ers offense.But the average fan does…

By Pratham Valluri · NBC Sports Bay Area

Published: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 11:31 PM

Key Things to Know

Kyle Shanahan explained the technical and communication challenges of relaying play calls to Brock Purdy.
A viral Week 6 moment involved Purdy asking Shanahan to repeat a call before the headset cut off.
The 49ers rely on universal backup calls or timeouts whenever helmet communication fails.

The Story in 60 Seconds

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained the in-game play-calling dynamic and communication challenges between him and quarterback Brock Purdy. Speaking to Matt Maiocco on "49ers Game Plan," Shanahan detailed how headset lag, audio dropouts, and strict play-clock cutoffs can cause stressful misunderstandings during games.

Shanahan clarified a viral moment from a 23-17 Week 6 win over the Washington Commanders, explaining Purdy was asking to repeat a call rather than complaining about pacing. He noted that the 49ers use default plays or timeouts when audio fails, while highlighting his trust in Purdy to make off-script decisions.

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Kyle Shanahan explains interesting play-calling dynamic with 49ers’ Brock Purdy

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