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49ers: Is it time for C.J. Beathard to start at quarterback?

By Bill Dwinells

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)
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) /
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Even after a close game this week against the Rams, many 49ers fans are wondering if it might be time to give rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard an opportunity over Brian Hoyer.

Even if you don’t think Brian Hoyer is the guy to lead the San Francisco 49ers in to the next decade, you would be a fool not to admit he had some flashes of good quarterback play on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.

His stat line was up there with the best of the best, as he threw for 332 yards on 23-of-37 passing and three total touchdowns (one rushing and two passing).

On the other hand, it’s important to not let the stat line fool you. Hoyer threw and interception on the very first play of the game, which set the tone for the 49ers to be playing from behind the rest of the game.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Were there some questionable calls? Yes, of course there were, just as there are in every game. Should the defense have given up 41 points? No, of course not, but these things happen, especially against an explosive offense like the Rams seem to have this season. Should the wide receivers of the 49ers have dropped all those passes? No definitely not, but that might be a symptom of a bigger issue like the receivers not believing in Brian Hoyer.

These things aren’t what should bother you, though. What should bother you is the 49ers are starting a 31-year-old journeyman QB that has been on seven teams in eight years. What should bother you is, at times last night… many times, in fact, especially in the first half, Hoyer looked lost, panicked and frustrated.

Meanwhile, waiting in the preverbal wings is 23-year-old rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard from Iowa.

While in college, Beathard started on one game his first two seasons until being named the starter in 2015 and leading the Hawkeyes to a 12-0 regular-season record. He was unanimously named to the Big-10 All-Conference team. He threw for 2,800 yards his first full season and ran for another 237. Beathard threw 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions and ran for six more touchdowns. He was drafted in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft (just like a couple other great QBs you might have heard of, Dan Fouts and Joe Montana).

In his limited performances this preseason, Beathard racked up 401 yards passing on 26-of-45 passing with four touchdowns, adding one rushing score as well.

More importantly than statistics, though, is the intangibles Beathard, I think, brings to the table. During his stint at Iowa and his preseason this year with the 49ers, the rookie looked poised, he looked confident and, most importantly, he looked like a leader.

Calm under pressure, Beathard has done something that not a lot of rookies do well, and something I haven’t seen much from Hoyer through three games this season, utilize the check-down receiver on passing plays.

It is a small-but-important part of the game to know where your emergency outlet (or check-down) receiver is at all times. When things get rough as a QB, chucking the ball deep instead of taking that three- to five-yard pass to a running back rarely works out. That’s when you start having to play from behind a lot, can’t get your running game established and ultimately lose football games. That is how you get inflated numbers like Hoyer had this past Thursday, and that’s how you get in to shootouts that you really can’t win at this point.

SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

So what does it all mean?

Well, the biggest point to be made here is very simple. Throw away all the statistics and ask yourself these questions — at 0-3 so far this season, do you think Hoyer will lead the 49ers to a playoff spot, or even a .500 record?

Not likely, right?

Do you think Hoyer is the quarterback of the 49ers for the next five years or even next year? I don’t.

With potentially another top-10 draft pick coming the 49ers way, would you like to see what Beathard has, in case the 49ers need to draft a QB next year? I would.

With all those questions, I think it is time — after three straight loses to open the season — to give the reins to Beathard and see what he has, see if (like I believe) he is a leader.

Next: Full grades, analysis from 49ers' Week 3 loss to the Rams

It’s time to see if Beathard is someone that can provide a jolt to this team and, most importantly, provide some glimpse in to the potential future of this team. The way I look at it is this, it can’t get much worse, can it?