Former 49ers QB Josh Rosen lit up Browns in preseason finale

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Josh Rosen (3) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Josh Rosen (3) Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /
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After flaming out with the 49ers, now-Falcons quarterback Josh Rosen put on quite the show against the Browns in the preseason finale.

Maybe there’s a place for the one-time No. 10 overall NFL Draft pick, quarterback Josh Rosen, in this league after all.

The Arizona CardinalsMiami DolphinsTampa Bay BuccaneersSan Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons quarterback, whom the Niners released after just one preseason bout, his only action since joining San Francisco as an emergency add in late 2020, didn’t have to wait too long before finding a new gig, albeit his fifth team in four seasons, joining the NFC South again and now backing up the veteran, Matt Ryan, for Atlanta heading into the upcoming 2021 season.

While the Falcons sat Ryan for their preseason finale Sunday night against the visiting Cleveland Browns, instead going with backup quarterback Felipe Franks, Rosen was the one who looked far more polished and competent in relief.

Including this 3rd-and-goal touchdown pass from Rosen to wide receiver Juwan Green off his back foot:

https://www.facebook.com/atlantafalcons/videos/1006555400120201

Rosen’s night culminated with a 9-of-18 mark for 118 yards, the touchdown against zero interceptions and an 89.6 passer rating in Atlanta’s 19-10 exhibition loss.

Not bad for a player added only days ago and whose lone outing with San Francisco will probably best be remembered for a high-throw interception.

True, this last outing was against Cleveland’s backups. And Rosen is anything but guaranteed a spot on Atlanta’s 53-man roster.

But at least he latched on somewhere not long after the 49ers let him go.

49ers won’t have any regrets on parting ways with Josh Rosen

The Niners only needed Rosen as an emergency option last year in the wake of quarterback Nick Mullens’ season-ending injury, and they likely only re-signed Rosen during the offseason while not knowing if they’d be able to land their current high-profile quarterback, Trey Lance, in the NFL Draft.

With Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo now battling for San Francisco’s starting quarterback job, paired with fellow 49ers backup Nate Sudfeld receiving $252,000 in guaranteed money during the offseason, Rosen was going to be an afterthought anyway.

Related Story: 49ers rotate Jimmy G, Trey Lance in win vs. Raiders

And despite Jimmy G’s lengthy injury history, paired with Lance’s ascent, there might be little reason for the Niners to keep three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster anyway.

So, in that light, perhaps San Francisco did Rosen a favor by parting ways with him early. After all, Rosen might have just secured himself a spot on the Falcons’ 53-man roster.

Good for him.

Next. 10 high-profile 49ers draft picks who never panned out. dark