SF 49ers roster: Predicting how quarterback room looks in 2021

The SF 49ers could see a massive overhaul of their quarterback room in 2021, and Niner Noise predicts what it might look like next season.

SF 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has more than his share of tough decisions to make this offseason.

But none could be more pressing than the choices he has to make at the game’s most important position, quarterback.

2020 has revealed more than a handful of flaws Shanahan has within his quarterback room. The starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, hasn’t been able to stay healthy. And even when he’s been on the field, Jimmy G has been the subject of more than enough speculation Shanahan will want a long-term upgrade anyway.

Garoppolo has appeared in only six games this season anyway, sidelined with two high-ankle sprains, which have forced Shanahan to insert his two backups, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, with hardly any success.

Beathard, the 2017 third-round pick, is an unrestricted free agent next year and owns a career 1-9 record as a starter. Mullens’ future is a bit more under San Francisco’s control, as he’s an restricted free agent and can be tendered. But with his own struggles this season, including a 3.4 interception percentage that ranks second worst among qualifying quarterbacks in 2020, there’s an awfully strong chance Shanahan and the SF 49ers prefer moving on from Mullens this offseason, too.

That leaves a number of choices for Shanahan and how the Niners depth chart will look at quarterback next year.

So, taking into account needs, free agency, cap space and the 2021 NFL Draft, here’s an early prediction on how Shanahan constructs the quarterback room for next season.

Note: All contractual and cap figures courtesy of Over the Cap.