5 options at quarterback if 49ers lose Jimmy Garoppolo to injury
By Peter Panacy
Option No. 4: 49ers pluck a veteran like Josh McCown
Even if the Niners were to roll with Nick Mullens under center, having a quality veteran backup to come in and provide some experience would be valuable in case Mullens got hurt.
The pickings for free-agent quarterbacks are awfully slim right now, but 41-year-old veteran Josh McCown is still out there after spending 2019 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’d come cheap, bring plenty of experience at the position and would provide Kyle Shanahan with someone who has an innate understanding of a variety of offenses and systems.
McCown’s last noteworthy season back in 2017 with the New York Jets provided a decent 18-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, which isn’t terrible considering the Jets’ lack of offensive weapons at the time. And while McCown’s fill-in efforts the following year weren’t great — noted by a 55.8 passer rating that year — one should understand this wouldn’t be for any sort of elongated field action.
Rather just as insurance for Mullens, as well as a much-needed veteran presence for the still-young QB.
Veteran quarterback Blake Bortles is still on the free-agent wire for those uninterested in McCown.