Kyle Shanahan sets the record straight on ex-draft pick

The San Francisco 49ersbrought back former second-round pick Dante Pettis, and head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to make it clear that there was never any bad blood between the player and coach.

Pettis’ return might raise some eyebrows given how his first stint ended. The 49ers waived him on Nov. 3, 2020, following a failed attempt to trade him after a rough two-and-a-half years in San Francisco. But Shanahan said the split was not personal.

“There was no relationship issue. That was just how it worked out,” Shanahan said Wednesday when asked how things were left in 2020. “I think people get confused sometimes with saying people are in the doghouse and things like that. People, I think, sometimes get that confused with just coaching. But, I’ve always loved Dante. Dante’s a great dude. He’s got a lot of ability.”

Shanahan added that Pettis has impressed elsewhere since leaving San Francisco. “He’s done some really good things since we let him go, other places,” he said.

Kyle Shanahan on if he had a poor relationship when Dante Pettis was released during his first stint with the Niners:

“There was no relationship issue. People get confused with the ‘doghouse’. Sometimes, it’s just coaching. I’ve always loved Dante. Dante is a great dude, he’s… pic.twitter.com/0EZWQo6nck

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 30, 2026

Pettis, 30, starred in college at Washington, where he set the FBS record for punt-return touchdowns with nine and earned All-Pac-12 and All-American honors. With San Francisco, he caught 38 passes for 576 yards and seven touchdowns in 28 games.

Since then, Pettis has caught 54 passes for 655 yards and six touchdowns in 38 games with the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

Now, with the 49ers needing bodies at receiver, Shanahan said the timing finally worked out for both sides.

“Someone we tried to bring back during training camp when we had some guys down and tried again this time,” Shanahan said, “and this time it worked out.”

The 49ers need the help after a litany of injuries befell the receiver room. Ricky Pearsall is out for the year, second-round rookie De’Zhaun Stribling is out until later this year, Demarcus Robinson will miss time, Christian Kirk is still on injured reserve and Mike Evans is dealing with a rib injury. That leaves Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and veteran Brandin Cooks, who just joined the practice squad.

At the very least, this reunion gives Pettis the chance to redeem himself where he started his career.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Kyle Shanahan sets the record straight on ex-draft pick