Shanahan explains what he likes about Stafford and that he tried to get involved in a trade with the Lions

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is an ideal interview because if you ask him a question, he’ll tell the truth. There isn’t a gray area when dealing with Shanahan, and that was the case in his latest interview with Peter Schrager and Rams head coach Sean McVay.

The trio talked about the Niners, Matthew Stafford, and Shanahan gave great insight with his only subtle jabs. Shanahan ended one rant by saying, “which wasn’t even close to the holding that happened on every third down in the Super Bowl two years later.”

The conversations between Mcvay and Shanahan were entertaining and genuine. You can tell the two have a history and a friendship. That makes the podcast a great listen. Let’s start with the QB.

Remember when the 49ers were interested in Stafford, then, all of a sudden, the Rams swooped in at the last minute to acquire the veteran quarterback on a Saturday? Well, Shanahan admitted that he was trying to get involved and said he studied Stafford.

I was trying to get involved in it. Someone who had knowledge of the situation, I remembrer us talking to (Tom) Condon, just everyone, when it was happening. I remember on Saturday, I was so stressed out. Then, Finally, we talked to someone. It was like 7 at night. And they said, ‘no nothing is happening until at the earliest tomorrow so you can finish your night.’

So I was like, alright, I’m done. So I put my phone down, talk to Mandy, and was like, ‘OK, let’s go to dinner and have some drinks.’ Then my buddy calls and tells me, ‘hey, I’m just telling you, if you want Stafford, you need to get a hold of him right now!’

Shanahan said he was in Cabo simultaneously as McVay and Stafford and said he would have made it really awkward for those two because he was so interested in Stafford. Of course, that was said in jest, but I imagine there is some truth in there.

Listen to Kyle talk about Stafford, and you would have to be lying to yourself if you think he wasn’t interested in the former Lions QB:

He’s better than I realized. He was the man. He’s actually underrated to me. I know how good of a guy you got. I know how good he is at play-action. I know how smart he is. Not only does he have a big arm but he has touch and he knows where to go with the ball. I was trying to get involved in him.

The entire conversation is incredible, and you can listen below.

There’s an alternate universe where the 49ers have Stafford under center and end up saving a lot of money and two future first-round picks. The way Shanahan spoke about Stafford comes off as he knows the Rams will be a dangerous team to deal with. Knowing that I believe it’s yet another reason we see Lance sooner than later.

Shanahan will want to match firepower versus firepower, and we have evidence that doesn’t happen with No. 10 throwing the ball. That’s no shot at Jimmy G. He’s fine and good at times. That hasn’t been good enough, though.

Reports were saying the 49ers weren’t interested in Stafford, but that always felt like a PR move to save face. Whether Garoppolo or Lance starts this season, the Rams will be the favorites in the division. I feel that this rivalry resembles the Seahawks this decade because of the talent on both rosters.