Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers must keep Aaron Rodgers in pocket

Share

The 49ers will have to worry about Aaron Rodgers' mobility Sunday night at Levi's Stadium. 

Rodgers has an innate ability to keep plays alive by moving outside of the pocket. Due in large part to that ability, the Green Bay Packers quarterback averaged more time to throw (2.9 seconds) entering Week 12 than all but four quarterbacks, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

In fact, Rodgers' skill set is very similar to that of the first QB to beat the 49ers this season, according to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. 

"It's a huge challenge, the same way it is with [Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson]," Shanahan told 49ers play-by-play broadcaster Greg Papa on "49ers Game Plan" this week. "I think it's a very good comparison with it. You've gotta keep him in the pocket as well as you can. It's always a challenge for our D-linemen, and if he gets outside of that pocket -- I don't care how many guys you have covering, it's very hard to hold off."

The 49ers will be without one of those aforementioned defensive linemen Sunday night, as Dee Ford will not play against the Packers with injuries to his quadriceps and hamstring. San Francisco's pass rush has been remarkably consistent this season, sacking opposing quarterbacks at least twice in each game. 

[RELATED: Watch 49ers-Packers in Week 12 on "Sunday Night Football"]

If the 49ers are going to keep that streak alive against Rodgers, Shanahan said the secondary will have to do their part in containing the probable Pro Football Hall of Famer. 

"When he does get outside the pocket, we've gotta be aggressive with their receivers, get on 'em," Shanahan continued. "If we're in man, we've gotta stay in man. If we're in zone, you've gotta transfer it to man very fast. But I do know if he gets outside of the pocket a number of times, you're gonna struggle in the secondary." 

Contact Us