SF 49ers should keep Josh Rosen as a backup QB in 2021

The SF 49ers quarterback room could look very different in 2021. However, Josh Rosen should be kept on the roster.

There are many points on the SF 49ers offseason checklist, but the most important topic is the quarterback position. They could go many different ways, but one direction they should go is keeping newly signed backup quarterback Josh Rosen.

There’s nothing to lose for Niners general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan if they keep Rosen. They need to shake up the depth chart behind Jimmy Garoppolo, assuming he sticks around.

It’s safe to say we’ve all seen enough of backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard over the last few seasons. Both players are due to hit the free-agent market this offseason with Mullens a restricted free agent and Beathard an unrestricted free agent.

If you go strictly by stats, you’re probably scratching your head wondering why the SF 49ers should keep Rosen. His record isn’t great and one of his three victories came against San Francisco in 2018.

But here’s the thing about athletes: Sometimes a change in scenery actually helps propel their career to new heights. Nick Dimengo from Bleacher Report looked back at a few trades over the years which turned some sports franchises around. Including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers trading away some guy named Steve Young to the SF 49ers after 19 games.

Obviously, the Rosen pickup wasn’t a trade, but there’s still hope for the former first-round draft pick. The 10th overall selection in the 2018 draft still has a lot to prove and can certainly up his value next season. Plus, he’s coming off the Buccaneers practice roster.

The SF 49ers certainly hope they get the version of Rosen who threw for 9,341 yards and 59 touchdowns during his time at UCLA, rather than the NFL pro who’s thrown for more interceptions (19) than touchdowns (12).

One of the fun things about Shanahan’s system is there just needs to be a healthy, decent quarterback to run it. This offense relies heavily on the run game, all the quarterback needs to do is be accurate when called upon.

Assuming the SF 49ers offensive line work on their pass blocking or get an upgrade in the draft or free agency, Rosen can succeed as a backup for the team.

The scouting reports have Rosen as a great passer. As we’ve seen this season, the team is in desperate need of one.

So if the SF 49ers keep Rosen on as a backup, where do they go with the other one or two spots available?

The most talked-about replacement option is in the draft. BYU’s quarterback Zach Wilson has been on the front burner of many SF 49ers fans’ minds. Lynch and Shanahan could be in agreement and decide to make a draft-day deal, which moves the Niners into the top eight to pick him.

The 49ers are currently slated to pick 12th.

But there’s a chance they decide to use the first-round pick at another position.

So if the team opts to sure up another area they deem in need, the options for franchise quarterbacks dwindles quite a bit. But there are some solid options the team could take with the likes of Alabama’s Mac Jones and Florida’s Kyle Trask who’s stock might’ve taken a hit during the Cotton Bowl against Oklahoma.

It’ll be interesting to see what the SF 49ers decide to do. But if they feel confident enough in Rosen, they should keep him and see what he can provide next season.