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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur have long been really good friends that both have noted numerous times throughout their coaching careers.
After a Sunday night classic in Week 3 between the 49ers and the Packers, the postgame handshake between the two seemed a bit testy, and per ProFootballTalk, Shanahan explained afterwards.
“I think I was just pissed about the game. It ended on the last play and I wasn’t trying to hang out too long in the middle of the field.”
The Packers defeated the 49ers 30-28 on a game-winning, 51-yard field goal from Mason Crosby as time expired. It's understandable that in that moment, Shanahan wouldn't want to stand on the field and reminisce with LaFleur about their friendship.
It proved to be a huge win for the Packers, who were 1-1 entering the game but reeling a bit after an embarrassing loss in their season opener against the New Orleans Saints. The Packers followed it up by beating the Detroit Lions, but they looked less than impressive doing so. Everything pointed to the 49ers game as the first real challenge for Green Bay to try and prove their legitimacy and they did just that in the win.
LaFleur dismissed any ill-will between the two after the game.
“Kyle’s a great friend of mine,” LaFleur told Sports Illustrated. “Absolutely, I hold no ill will towards him. I understand. He’s trying to do whatever he thinks he needs to do for his football team.”
At this point, everyone would sign up for a 49ers – Packers rematch in the playoffs.
