49ers’ quarterback situation as bright as it’s been in a long time
By Peter Panacy
A year ago, the San Francisco 49ers had exactly zero quarterbacks on their roster. Now, with Jimmy Garoppolo and C.J. Beathard aboard, the situation is brighter than it had been for years.
What a difference a year makes for the San Francisco 49ers.
A year ago, former Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick informed the team he would opt out of his contract and hit free agency. The Niners, then under newly minted general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, were going to cut him anyway. And Kaepernick, of course, remains unsigned.
Still, it was a precarious situation for San Francisco. With Kap gone, and backups Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder also leaving for the open market, Lynch and Co. had exactly zero quarterbacks to work with.
San Francisco 49ers
We know what happened. The Niners subsequently inked veteran QBs Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley in the early stages of free agency. They then reached to grab former Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard in Round 3 of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Barkley didn’t make the 53-man roster out of training camp, and both Hoyer and Beathard struggled during the regular season.
Then came that oh-so famous phone call from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick about his team’s backup, Jimmy Garoppolo.
There’s little more that needs to be said about Garoppolo’s impact over the final five games of 2017. All which the Niners won, and with an effective offense, by the way. With him now under contract for the next five years, San Francisco has little reason to worry at this most important of positions.
But as the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles proved last season, backup quarterbacks are just as vital. Who would have thought backup quarterback Nick Foles, filling in for an injured MVP candidate in Carson Wentz, would have wound up being the hero in Super Bowl LII.
It’s important. And the Niners are more than just set here.
Don’t Underestimate C.J. Beathard’s Role with the 49ers
Beathard’s rookie campaign certainly left a lot to be desired. Over his seven appearances, Beathard managed a mere 54.9 completion percentage and 69.2 passer rating — both ranked 31st among all qualifiers and just a shade above the Cleveland Browns’ rookie QB, DeShone Kizer.
Transitioning from a simplistic offense at Iowa to a highly complex system under Shanahan, while not exactly boasting the best supporting cast, it’s OK to give Beathard a pass in year one.
Lynch even offered up what he thinks of Beathard’s future, while speaking at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine (h/t David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone):
"We think very highly of C.J. I can tell you one of the reasons that it was — I won’t say easy — but easier for us to be patient while Kyle was making those decisions with Jimmy was that C.J. was playing well in our mind and was improving every week. C.J. has handled this tremendously well with a tremendous amount of class. It’s motivated him to become even better, to continue working on his craft.We love his makeup, what he’s all about. My message to him: Become the next Jimmy Garoppolo. You keep playing well; good things will happen for you. He understands that."
Related Story: What the future holds for C.J. Beathard
Who knows? Perhaps the Niners are able to groom Beathard in a similar vein the Patriots groomed Garoppolo under future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. Then Beathard becomes a viable trade asset in two, perhaps three years.
In the meantime, the 49ers are still armed with a competent backup with practical NFL experience.
Just ask the Eagles how important that can be.
The 49ers’ Quarterback Situation as Good as It’s Been in Some Time
One might argue San Francisco’s quarterbacking situation looks as bright as ever since the days of Kaepernick and former Niners QB Alex Smith back in 2012.
Smith, who started that year, suffered a career-altering concussion halfway through that season. That led to Kap’s rise, of course, and the lone trip to the Super Bowl under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The switch from Smith to Kaepernick was the right one at the time, although one can argue in hindsight. Kap appeared destined to change the nature of the position and was one of the league’s rising stars. Smith was no less qualified to be effective under center either, making San Francisco’s then-quarterback depth the envy of the league.
Heck, it’s why the Niners were afforded the luxury of moving Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs the following offseason.
That process won’t repeat itself anytime soon. Beathard’s stock simply isn’t that high. At least not yet.
Next: 5 must-do tasks for the 49ers this 2018 offseason
Regardless, the 49ers need not worry about their quarterbacking situation heading into 2018. Considering how big a concern it was at this point a year ago, and even halfway through last season, it’s refreshing to know the Niners have the game’s most important position locked in.