49ers vs. Broncos: 5 predictions for San Francisco in preseason bout

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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 19: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers in action against the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Quarterback C.J. Beathard Enters the Game Before Nick Mullens

This is kind of a cheat, but Kyle Shanahan will relieve Jimmy Garoppolo under center with backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, then Nick Mullens.

Like, seriously. That’s what Shanahan said following the Dallas game:

Shanahan said Jimmy Garoppolo should be ready to go for the second preseason game, but they will put C.J.Beathard in before Nick Mullens next week.

When asked if there if either QB separated themselves after this game, Shanahan replied, “No.”
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) August 11, 2019

Granted, Beathard injured his thumb during Week 1 of the NFL preseason. But he is on track to return in Denver.

Of course, Shanahan could be speaking coach-speak, which isn’t out of the question. Yet there’s another reason why Beathard enters the game before Mullens.

Beathard is losing this competition for the No. 2 quarterback almost by default. Despite Shanahan’s words to the contrary, merely looking at all the reasons why Mullens should win this job gives you the answer you need to know.

The Broncos defense is expected to be pretty good this season, meaning their second stringers should provide some stiffer competition for Beathard, who needs to prove himself.

Expect Beathard to finish his reps at halftime, probably getting the highest number of snaps out of all four quarterbacks the 49ers field during the game.