49ers HC Kyle Shanahan 'very happy' Russell Wilson left division

The "Russell Wilson's Seahawks vs. the 49ers" era was well established before Kyle Shanahan became San Francisco's head coach. Suffice to say, however, the Red and Gold's shot-caller saw enough of it to be happy Wilson has left Seattle in the NFC West via trade to the Denver Broncos.

"I’m very happy we don’t have to see him twice a year," Shanahan said at this week's NFL meetings, via NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "Unfortunately, we still play the AFC West, but at least it’s only once."

Niner fans will certainly agree. The Seahawks owned the Bay Area club with Wilson at the helm to a regular-season record of 16-4 and a very memorable 2013 NFC Championship game that sent Seattle on its way to defeating the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Since Shanahan took over as SF's HC, the team went 2-8 against Wilson's Seahawks, including four consecutive losses over the 2020 and 2021 seasons. 

Not that Shanahan doesn't also acknowledge what an accomplished quarterback Wilson is.

"Russell’s been an unbelievable player," he said. "Everyone knows how great he’s been in Seattle. His legacy there will be what it is for a long time."

Meanwhile, the 49ers have their own quarterback questions to answer. Shanahan himself said this week that Trey Lance "can be a starter" but didn't give him a full endorsement. San Francisco also still has Jimmy Garoppolo on its roster and there hasn't been much indication they are in a hurry to move him, especially considering he had to have offseason surgery.

At the very least, while Shanahan looks forward to shaping his team for the upcoming season, he doesn't have multiple matchups against Russell Wilson to worry about.