Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 10 best quarterbacks in franchise history

By Bobby Horne

Feb 3, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame bust of Joe Montana at the NFL Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of the Pro Football Hall of Fame bust of Joe Montana at the NFL Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jeff Garcia, San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback Jeff Garcia #5 of the San Francisco 49ers Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /

49ers All-Time Quarterback No. 3: Jeff Garcia

1999-2003

Perhaps some recency bias here, at least in contrast to Y.A. Tittle, but Bay Area native Jeff Garcia started his NFL career with the 49ers after being signed in 1999, following a Grey Cup championship for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League.

He spent his first season as a backup to the next quarterback on this list, Steve Young, and when Young was sidelined with a concussion, Garcia got his first start as a 49er. Garcia won his first start against the Tennessee Titans and finished the season throwing 11 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.

It wasn’t until 2000 that Garcia really performed, after Young had retired, he earned the starting role going into the season. He finished the 2000 season throwing for a new 49ers passing record with 4,278 yards, which still stands today, along with 31 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions.

Garcia’s performance that year earned him his first Pro Bowl appearance.

In the next two seasons, Garcia had led the Niners to their first playoff appearance in two years and their first divisional title since 1997.

He finished with a 36-35 record as a starter with San Francisco and is still the last 49er quarterback to have made the Pro Bowl.