Trent Williams and Chase Young weren’t the only former members of the Washington organization to return on Sunday. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan also returned, although, unlike Williams and Young, he’d been back at FedEx Field.
Shanahan spent four seasons as Washington’s offensive coordinator from 2010-13 under his father Mike. As we’ve heard so many times over the years, the Shanahans were dismissed after the 2013 season after Mike Shanahan’s feud with former owner Daniel Snyder and then-quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Over the years, the younger Shanahan has made it known what he thought of (former team president) Bruce Allen, Snyder and the Washington organization. However, Shanahan’s stance softened a bit in 2020 after Washington fired Allen and hired head coach Ron Rivera. Shanahan spoke of his respect for Rivera.
The 49ers returned to FedEx Field on Sunday, defeating the Commanders 27-10. It was notable because it was the first time Shanahan faced Washington since Snyder sold the team.
While Williams spoke of his time in Washington, Shanahan admitted he doesn’t feel any negative feelings toward the Commanders any longer.
“No, not at all,” Shanahan said when asked if his negative feelings still existed since Snyder sold the team, per Kirk Larrabee of 49erswebzone.com. “I used to have those, but it’s totally different place here now, and different people, and nothing’s personal here anymore. The personal stuff is gone.”
That’s good news. With new owner Josh Harris now in charge, many of the bad feelings opposing teams and former players had toward the organization are gone.
The 4-12 Commanders wrap up the regular season next week against Dallas and are expected to move on from Rivera afterward.