49ers ‘not likely’ tendering Nick Mullens, backup QB wide open

The 49ers’ backup quarterback spot looks to be wide open with news the team probably won’t tender restricted free-agent Nick Mullens.

It seems to be the San Francisco 49ers understand their quarterback room needs a massive overhaul regardless what general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan think about their starter, Jimmy Garoppolo, in 2021.

Both of Garoppolo’s primary backups the last three seasons, C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens, are free agents this offseason, Beathard of the unrestricted variety and Mullens a restricted free agent. And according to a report from NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, the Niners don’t appear willing to tender Mullens, the 2018 undrafted free agent:

"Nick Mullens is a restricted free agent. The 49ers are not likely to tender him because he is currently in the midst of a six-month recovery from surgery on his throwing elbow. C.J. Beathard is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent."

Mullens suffered his elbow injury in the Week 15 loss against the Dallas Cowboys after starting eight games in relief of Garoppolo, who suffered his own ankle injuries earlier in the season. And while there was hope Mullens could demonstrate some solid progression after what had been a modestly impressive 2018 rookie campaign, it became quite evident the former Southern Mississippi quarterback regressed and was more of a liability under center than a boost to the offense.

His 3.7 interception percentage ranked worst among qualifiers over the course of 2021.

Shanahan long praised Mullens’ decision-making abilities with regards to making the right reads and reacting correctly on the field, but there was more than ample evidence of Mullens’ limitations on the field. Paired with Garoppolo’s injury history, it makes sense Lynch felt the need to address San Francisco’s backup quarterback situation heading into 2021.

And with this report of the 49ers seemingly willing to move on from Mullens this offseason, it would appear those comments are going to play out with regards to roster formation.

What do 49ers do with their quarterback room?

Currently, the Niners have three quarterbacks on their offseason roster signed into 2021: Garoppolo, Josh Johnson and last year’s late pickup off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, former first-round NFL Draft pick, Josh Rosen.

Maiocco’s report is potentially good news for Rosen, who’ll look to resurrect his career after flaming out with the Bucs, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins after being selected in Round 1 back in 2018. That said, San Francisco is highly anticipated to add at least one rookie signal-caller in this year’s draft.

Just how soon and at what point a quarterback would be drafted, however, is the subject of speculation.

Much of that has to do with Garoppolo’s own future, which has varied from Lynch’s previous comments about being “the guy” under center for the 49ers this season to potentially being a trade piece or even a cap casualty. This, primarily based on his injury history and the thought Shanahan will want an upgrade.

Even if Garoppolo stays, though, it would appear a smart move for the Niners to reinforce their depth chart behind him.

If there’s one thing working in Mullens’ favor, it’s San Francisco having brought back former quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, who was vital in discovering Mullens back in 2018 and helped develop him that season before the former moved on to the Denver Broncos as their offensive coordinator in 2019.

Scangarello returned to the 49ers to assume the same job he had previously, although Mullens’ injury still likely thwarts the notion they’ll retain his services.

As such, it’s more probable the Niners look to infuse different talent at the position this offseason instead of going with Mullens.