Why Nick Mullens wins 49ers’ No. 2 quarterback job over C.J. Beathard in 2019

One of the biggest battles in training camp for the San Francisco 49ers will be for the backup quarterback role. Nick Mullens performed well last season, but the Niners haven’t yet given up on C.J. Beathard.

The most interesting stories before the season kicks off true and proper are the training camp battles, and the San Francisco 49ers certainly won’t be lacking those this season.

The most intriguing storyline will be over the backup quarterback, to be fought over by Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard.

On the surface, it seems like an easy decision. Mullens performed exceedingly above all expectations when he took over the starting role in Week 9 last year. The former practice squad QB burst out of the blocks with a thumping 34-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders in the final Battle of the Bay game and rode some understandable bumps to finish the season well.

Beathard, in comparison, was not as effective. And when he got injured, there wasn’t really as much of a reaction as when franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL earlier in the season.

Beathard lost all five games he started. And while it would be unfair to say he was a horrific quarterback (he had good games against the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Chargers), he wasn’t inspiring the team, either.

That being said, this battle is not as easy to decide as one may think. Beathard is not a player the 49ers want to give up on just yet, and behind the losses, there is potential in his play.

However, I think the battle will go as most people believe it should with Mullens getting the nod.

Here’s why.

The case for Nick Mullens

Mullens is not as gifted, athletically, and his arm strength is below average. But he practices hard (he rehearsed plays by himself in an empty stadium) and has a composure most young quarterbacks don’t possess.

If one looked at his tape in his victories (the Seattle Seahawks game in Week 15, in particular), Mullens possessed poise in completing several passes while under heavy pressure. He would happily take the hit if it meant moving the ball forwards.

He also developed chemistry with several members of the offense, the most significant of which would be wide receiver Dante Pettis (who exploded down the stretch with Mullens at the helm) and tight end George Kittle (whom Mullens helped to the best ever season, in terms of yardage for a tight end in NFL history).

The most important thing in his favor, however, is the momentum he carries over from last season. Mullens crushed the Raiders in a rivalry game, defeated a Denver Broncos outfit, which was looking to get into the playoffs and then led the 49ers to an upset of the hated Seahawks (breaking the streak they had against the Niners).

The track record doesn’t lie.

Beathard will be given every chance to win the backup job, but it’s hard seeing it being as anything except being Mullens’ to lose.

As long as he keeps up his impressive play in the preseason games, Mullens should be the guy backing up Garoppolo for the 2019 season.