Sean McVay on Kyle Shanahan accident: I talked to him, he's got an incredible perspective

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is recovering from serious injuries after a car accident on July 14, and his friend and rival Sean McVay was among the first to reach out to him.

McVay, the Rams head coach who worked with Shanahan for four years when they were young assistants in Washington, said Shanahan is in good spirits.

“Most importantly, thank God he and the other person involved is okay,” McVay said. “Perspective is everything. We talk about that all the time as coaches, and everybody goes through different things. I think the most important thing is that he's on the road to recovery. His wife Mandy, and he's got a beautiful family, and I think any time that something like that happens, it shakes you up a little bit. But most importantly, I have talked to him. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and I know he's got an incredible perspective on it all. And Kyle's a stud. I have as much respect for him as anybody and he's a friend of mine, and I love him and hope that he's going to have a great recovery.”

Shanahan reportedly has a severe concussion, multiple broken bones, and lacerations requiring 40 stitches on his face. He will be coaching on a limited basis in training camp.

McVay and Shanahan were hired to coach NFC West rivals in 2017. Shanahan's 49ers are 11-7 against McVay's Rams in the regular season. McVay and the Rams won their only playoff meeting, in the NFC Championship Game after the 2021 season.