Chargers vs 49ers: Previewing preseason Week 4 for San Francisco

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 27: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers scrambles with the ball against the Minnesota Vikings in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 32-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Quarterback comparison

Brian Hoyer is the starter. Rookie C.J. Beathard is making a name for himself. Both are true.

While there is no controversy over who’s going to be helming the offense come week one of the regular season, there certainly is some intrigue in the rookie C.J. Beathard. Prior to the game against the Vikings, Hoyer had really struggled in the preseason. That all changed last week, and Hoyer showed glimpses of commanding play.

Slowly this offseason, Beathard has built himself up within the 49ers and is now operating as the No. 2 quarterback. It’s become obvious that Beathard has overtaken free-agent signing Matt Barkley as the backup quarterback, and the question now lingers: is Barkley expendable? It’s looking like it, and San Francisco will roll with Hoyer and Beathard as the No. 1 and No. 2.

Behind starter Philip Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers have decisions to make at quarterback.

In the offseason, the Chargers traded for quarterback Cardale Jones. It was a reunion between head coach Anthony Lynn and Jones, who both worked together in Buffalo. Jones is the No. 2, but after is where the team is deciding who to keep. It’s between veteran Kellen Clemens and second-year man Mike Bercovici for the final quarterback spot.