Super Bowl 58 turned out to be a classic with both the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs holding a late lead in the game that was eventually decided in overtime.
The Chiefs would go on to win the evenly matched encounter 25-22 but things could have been very different if the 49ers opted to kick the ball instead of receive it in overtime.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan’s decision has come under scrutiny after it was revealed that some of his players where not aware of the updated overtime rule changes put in place by the NFL. The new regulations permit both teams to possess the ball at least once in overtime.
“I didn’t even realize that the playoff rules were different in overtime,” said 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk. “I assumed you just want the ball because you score a touchdown and win. But I guess that’s not the case.”
The statement from Juszczyk shows a lack of awareness and discipline from a 49ers organization that should have been prepared for the situation.
Chiefs players said they discussed the playoff OT rules multiple times before the SB 😅 pic.twitter.com/VNdJYYFt5k
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2024
When asked if overtime was something coaches had talked about with players Juszczyk responded “no, we hadn’t talked about it.”
The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly had a meeting to discuss the rule changes and strategy before the game.
Many analysts have slammed the 49ers for their inability to prepare the team adequately for the biggest game of the year.
NFL broadcaster Louis Riddick released a post on X stating that the 49ers not being informed of the overtime rules was “blowing my mind.”
On a recent episode of ESPN’s Get Up, Domonique Foxworth stated that 49ers players should have kept that information to themselves. “Lie. What are you all doing,” advised Foxworth.
Stephen A Smith referred to it as “a smear on the entire organization” that players were unaware of the new regulations.
