49ers legend Joe Staley on turning point of 2019 Super Bowl loss

The long-time left tackle discussed the defeat during a recent radio appearance.

The San Francisco 49ers have been fortunate when it comes to one of the most important positions in football. Since 2008, they have had two top-notch players manning the left tackle spot.

Joe Staley moved from the right side to left tackle in 2008 and gave the 49ers a Pro-Bowl level performance for 12 seasons. Staley played a career-low seven games in 2019 due to injury, but when he returned to the lineup, he was a big part of why the Niners made it all the way to the Super Bowl.

The 49ers ultimately came up just short in Staley’s final NFL game. They gave up a 10-point fourth quarter lead and ultimately fell 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Staley hopped on 95.7 The Game’s The Morning Roast and was asked about the defeat.

“I’ve watched [the game],” Staley said during his radio interview. “It’s not something that’s like some painful memory. Obviously, it’s a game, and I would have loved to have won that game. But, for me, even though it was my last game too, kind of looking back and watching and seeing why did we not get it done? What happened? What were the turning points?

“I think one of the turning points is that Nick Bosa never got [the calls] for holding (against him).

“They held him like 30 times.”

Bosa was simply dominant in the Super Bowl. He racked up three tackles, a sack, a QB hit and one pass defended. Pro Football Focus singled out Bosa’s performance against the Chiefs as one of the best over the past 10 Super Bowls.

Although the 49ers ultimately fell to the Chiefs, Bosa still recorded one of the most dominant defensive outings we have ever seen. The rookie lived in the Chiefs’ backfield, generating a whopping 12 QB pressures — most in a Super Bowl — that included one QB hit and one sack. Here’s hoping the 49ers star returns better than ever next season.

Fans have voiced their frustrations with the lack of holding calls against the Chiefs in that particular game. The 49ers had a dominant defensive line that gave Patrich Mahomes fits throughout the affair.

Many NFL media members addressed the officiating in the days following the Super Bowl, including former NFL GM Michael Lombardi.

Unfortunately, Staley couldn’t hoist the Lombardi Trophy during his playing days with the 49ers. He was a part of the Jim Harbaugh coached teams that went to three straight NFC Championship games and lost a heartbreaker in the Super Bowl to the Baltimore Ravens.

But even though Staley didn’t win a championship as a player, he could soon be chasing one as part of the 49ers’ coaching staff. Staley says head coach Kyle Shanahan has broached the topic with him, but Staley says the timing isn’t right.

“Possibly, you might be seeing me up there,” Staley said. “I don’t know yet. I’m still working out some things. I know Kyle’s trying to get me up there, work on his staff, but I’m not ready to do the coaching thing yet. I’m really, honestly, just enjoying the time that I have with my family right now.”

You can listen to the complete interview here.