Kyle Shanahan Addresses the 49ers' Struggling Rushing Attack
Despite their reputation as a top-tier running team under Kyle Shanahan's leadership, the San Francisco 49ers have faced a challenging season in 2025. The team's rushing attack has been underperforming, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key categories. As of the latest update, the 49ers are 27th in rush yards per game (94.8) and last in yards per carry (3.5) after 10 games. This marks a significant decline from their earlier season performance, where they averaged 113.8 rush yards per game in their last four contests.
In a recent press conference, Shanahan was asked to explain the team's inability to achieve long runs. He emphasized that this issue affects the entire team and is a significant contributor to their overall struggles. Shanahan stated, 'If you don't get big runs, you're never going to have those yards or stats.'
This season, the 49ers have not had a single run of 20 or more yards through 10 games, a feat that hasn't been achieved since 1986. This is a rare occurrence, with only seven other teams since 2000 sharing this distinction. The 49ers' recent performance against the Los Angeles Rams further highlighted their rushing struggles, as they were held to under 100 rush yards for the seventh time this season.
One of the key factors in the team's down year is the performance of star running back Christian McCaffrey. Despite his effectiveness in the passing game, McCaffrey's average of 3.5 yards per carry through 10 games is his lowest since his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers in 2017. However, Shanahan dismissed the idea that McCaffrey's performance has been less explosive this season.
On a positive note, backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. has shown improvement in recent weeks. He has scored rushing touchdowns in two consecutive games and is averaging a career-high 4.9 yards per carry. Shanahan praised Robinson's consistent performance, mentioning that he has had his best game four weeks in a row and is improving each week.
The 49ers' next challenge awaits as they prepare to face the Arizona Cardinals, who allow 114.1 rush yards per game. In their previous encounter, the 49ers rushed for only 73 yards, their third-lowest total this season. This upcoming game will be a crucial test for McCaffrey and Robinson as they aim to improve their rushing performance and help the team secure a win.
