Niner Noise
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5 takeaways from 49ers preseason Week 2 win vs. Broncos

By James Jones

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: The San Francisco 49ers offense lines up on offense behind offensive guard Najee Toran #66 during a preseason National Football League game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 19: The San Francisco 49ers offense lines up on offense behind offensive guard Najee Toran #66 during a preseason National Football League game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Nick Mullens Appears to Have Taken Lead on C.J. Beathard

Kyle Shanahan had a plan tonight in the battle for Jimmy Garopollo’s backup. That plan, as we knew it, was to have quarterback C.J. Beathard be the first in after the starter.

What we didn’t know was how long the former Iowa Hawkeye would play.

As it turned out, Beathard played quite a bit. Garoppolo played a total of three series in this game. Beathard spelled him into the third quarter before giving way to fellow backup Nick Mullens.

Beathard finished his time in this game going 5-of-11 for 81 yards. He had no touchdowns and no interceptions. He did, however, allow himself to be stripped on a blitz by linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Mullens played far less than his counterpart, but again, that was by design. It seems after the display he put on last season, Shanahan already knows what he has in the former undrafted free agent.

In case you’re wondering, what Shanahan has in Mullens is a bona fide NFL backup quarterback, one who can come in if Garoppolo goes down again and allow the offense to not miss a beat. While he was only 2-of-3 for 27 yards, his third completion was a perfectly placed ball on a fade route to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne for a score.

Next. 49ers vs. Broncos: Preseason grades and analysis for San Francisco. dark

Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy broke down why the 49ers could choose to keep Mullens over Beathard here. After this Week 2 contest, the backup job appears to be Mullens’ to lose.