Eight updates from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan

INDIANAPOLIS – Kyle Shanahan lived in the same house an NFL head coach, so it’s not as if he was completely clueless about the role when the 49ers hired him last year.

But Shanahan, son of longtime NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, still had a lot to learn. And as part of his indoctrination, he spent “a few hours” at his first NFL Scouting Combine last year with New England coach Bill Belichick.

“Bill’s a great guy and he gave me the opportunity to sit down and talk ball with him,” Shanahan said. “We talked about a lot of things. It was cool, especially being a first-time head coach and talk to a guy like that. That’s as cool a thing as I can imagine.”

Just weeks earlier, Belichick’s Patriots rallied from a 25-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 34-28, in Super Bowl 51. Shanahan was heavily criticized for his play-calling as the Falcons attempted to protect their lead in the second half. The Patriots won in overtime.

Shanahan described the meeting with Belichick as a casual conversation.

“I’m a sponge,” he said.

Perhaps because of the relationshp that was forged, Shanahan and the 49ers received another favor from Belichick at the trade deadline when he called to pitch a trade of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for a second-round draft pick.

STALEY CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS
Six-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley is relatively underpaid when it comes to elite players at his position. Shanahan said the 49ers are looking at adjusting Staley’s contract.

“We want to help out Joe and do the right thing for him,” Shanahan said.

Staley is scheduled to earn $5.5 million in the final two years of his contract with cap figures of approximately $7.7 million. If the 49ers attempted to sign a starter-caliber guard in free agency, it’s likely that player would make significantly more than Staley.

“You also have to do what’s right for the organization,” Shanahan said. “You want to do what’s right for all of your players, especially the ones who do things the right way. And Joe is the perfect example of that.”

HYDE LIKELY TO HIT FREE AGENCY
Running back Carlos Hyde left a positive impression on Shanahan last season, which was also Hyde’s contract year.

Hyde led the team with 938 yards rushing with a 3.9 yard average. He also caught a team-high 59 passes for 350 yards.

The market will likely determine whether Hyde is back with the 49ers in 2018. But Shanahan made it clear he wants to see Hyde return to the team.

“I thought Carlos really one of our best players,” Shanahan said. “He was there week-in and week-out. A guy we can really count on. I loved dealing with the guy. I thought he was extremely smart , did everything we asked. Would love to have him back because I know he’s a hell of a player. We’ll see what happens with his market.”

Shanahan said he spoke recently with Hyde and realizes he has to do what’s best for him. And if the 49ers are unable to re-sign Hyde, Shanahan said, “We’ll have to adjust accordingly.”

Matt Breida played well as an undrafted rookie from Georgia Southern. Joe Williams, a fourth-round draft pick, will compete for a role on the team after spending his rookie season on injured reserve with a foot injury.

BROWN NEEDS MORE CONSISTENCY
Right tackle Trent Brown is eligible this offseason for a contract extension as he is set to enter the final year of his contract. The 49ers could retain Brown in 2019 on the franchise tag. And Shanahan suggested Brown definitely has the talent to warrant the high price tag.

The only thing Brown is lacking is consistency, Shanahan said.

“You can make a tape on Trent and he’s the best pass-protecting tackle I’ve ever seen in my life,” Shanahan said. “And that’s why you’ll hear players say that. Trent is elite when it comes to pass-blocking. I just want him to do it down-in and down-out, and to do it for 16 games.”

Brown is rehabbing from shoulder surgery in Florida this offseason. He is expected to be cleared for football activity for training camp.

The 49ers signed Garry Gilliam to a two-year extension this week as an insurance policy at both tackle positions.

“Tackles are real hard to get in this league,” Shanahan said. “Garry’s got a lot of ability. I feel he can still get a lot better and more consistent in his techniques. He’s as good of an athlete as I’ve been around, and I enjoy the person.”

COMPETITION ON OFFENSIVE LINE
Center Daniel Kilgore signed a three-year contract that could pay up to $11.75 million. Shanahan said the 49ers are planning on Kilgore to be the starter, as his contract would suggest.

The 49ers expect better competition along the offensive line – and at all positions. Shanahan said the only spots where the 49ers will not be looking to upgrade are quarterback – with Garoppolo and C.J. Beathard -- and fullback with Kyle Juszczyk.

“We’re trying to add starters on the O-line and everywhere,” Shanahan said. “We’re going to see if we can get better. But we have some guys who played at a high level for us and did a good job, so that’s not easy.”

The price of adding starters on the offensive line can get prohibitive in free agency, but Shanahan said the goal is to upgrade the talent level across the board to the point that there is minimal drop-off when the backups are forced to play.

The 49ers appear to be looking for increased competition at guard, in particular. Shanahan spoke about what he wants from the position.

“Everyone thinks we like small guards,” Shanahan said. “I just like people who can move. If you’re 400 pounds and you can move, I’d rather have that guy than the 300-pound guy who can move the same. The problem is most really heavy guys can’t move.”

BIG RECEIVER ALERT
The 49ers could also use a tall wide receiver who can be a menace in the red zone. But, then again, what team is not looking for a player, such as Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones?

“If there is a Julio available and you have the opportunity to get him, go get him,” Shanahan said. “It’s worth it, whatever the price is, whatever the draft pick is, go get him. There’s not too many Julios on this planet.”

Shanahan cautioned that a lot of teams settle for just a tall guy who does not have other necessary attributes to succeed in the NFL.

“If his only elite trait is size, you can only put him in at the 5 yard line to throw a jump ball,” Shanahan said. “We need good receivers, and they come in all shapes and sizes.”

A year ago, the 49ers had only Jeremy Kerley and Bruce Ellington under contract. On the first day of free agency, the club signed Pierre Garçon and Marquise Goodwin. Garçon sustained a neck injury that cut short his season, but he is expected to be cleared for the offseason program.

“If we can bring in guys who beat out our starters, that means we’re bringing in some pretty good guys,” Shanahan said. “I also know I’m happy with our guys. I think they did a good job and got better throughout the year. And I expect Pierre to come back healthy.”

FINDING THE RIGHT FITS
Shanahan said players are generally “overpaid” in free agency. And that is why is is important to target the right players – and people – when big money contracts. He cited Garçon as an example.

Said Shanahan: “I do not mind overpaying for character -- guys who are going to come in and work, who compete on the practice field, who can handle being coached, who aren’t coming in extremely sensitive and not putting themselves above anyone else. That’s the hard thing about free agency. If you bring in an entitled guy, it hurts your team. “

Shanahan said it’s important to sign players who set the tone he wants in the locker room, meeting rooms and practice field because signing those kinds of individuals sends a message to the rest of the team.

SHANAHAN’S PLAYOFF WATCH
Shanahan said his typical early-offseason tradition has been put on hold due to his additional responsibilities as a head coach.

Before the players report back for the offseason program, Shanahan usually watches every play and studies the offenses and defenses of every playoff game. He said he likes to see how teams change their defenses in the postseason.

Shanahan figures to carve out some time in the next couple of months to keep up to date on what is going on around the NFL.

“If you just stay in your world and look at your stuff all the time, it’s always evolving and you got to constantly know what’s out there,” he said.