Tyrann Mathieu Has Brutally Honest Assessment on Kyle Shanahan's Late-Game Super Bowl Play-Calling
By Mark Powell
Tyrann Mathieu doesn't lie, and he has no reason to watch his words at this point. The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions, with no remaining opponents to prove themselves against. This iteration of football's finest has achieved greatness on every level, although that doesn't mean they weren't gifted some...curious decision-making by the opposition at times.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan got away from his team's bread and butter, the run game, late in Super Bowl LIV in an effort to seal the game. Instead, he gave Patrick Mahomes and Co. extra opportunities, and took little to no time off the clock.
Matthieu says the defense is thankful for Shanahan's curious choice.
#Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu on ESPN: “We were grateful they got out of the run and started to throw the ball.”
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 3, 2020
As they should be.
The 49ers rushing attack is arguably the most dangerous in the NFL (outside of Baltimore, at least), and rather than ride Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman to Super Bowl glory, Shanahan placed the ball in the hands of his quarterback who, despite possessing a monster contract, hadn't proven himself in such a situation. Garoppolo was Tom Brady's understudy, not Tom Brady himself.
I really wanna entertain all my haters but I’m a champion, I believe I’m past that phase.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) February 3, 2020
Mathieu is feeling himself, and he's earned it.