49ers depth chart: Quarterback shakeups behind Jimmy Garoppolo?

49ers building support behind Jimmy Garoppolo

2018 showed enough why teams need to have a competent backup behind their starter.

Jimmy Garoppolo’s Week 3 ACL tear that year ultimately led to the 4-12 finish the Niners endured, demolishing any hopes Kyle Shanahan’s squad could make the playoffs. While there were some bonuses, such as netting the 49ers the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft and showcasing Nick Mullens’ value to the rest of the league, the fact remains San Francisco’s Super Bowl window is open now.

There aren’t any hopes for a top-10 draft pick anytime soon.

The 49ers could still be a playoff-caliber team without Garoppolo under center, likely to ride their strong running game and still-stout defense to get into the postseason. Garoppolo makes the offense much better, of course, and the Niners don’t want him to suffer any kind of elongated injury.

If he does, however, the caliber of the backup needs to be enough to ensure some sort of continuity.

This is where Mullens comes in.

Despite his 3-5 record as a starter, Mullens at least flashed the kind of competence one would hope for from a backup. This alone could explain why the 49ers turned down those trade offers they received during the offseason. It would be one thing if 2020 was viewed as a rebuilding year. But it’s not, prompting the need for San Francisco to keep Mullens around.

So, what happens at the position this year?