5 former 49ers free agents who could be brought back in 2023

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Former 49ers free-agent No. 4: Quarterback C.J. Beathard

Alright, this sounds a little strange on the top. But there’s some merit to it.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has plenty of affection for the first quarterback he ever drafted, still-Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller C.J. Beathard, who never carved out much of anything during his four years in San Francisco but nevertheless earned plenty of respect from those around him in the locker room.

Now, jumping into 2023, the 49ers already have two quarterbacks vying for starting duties, Trey Lance and Brock Purdy.

But both are coming off significant injuries and probably still need a mentor anyway.

Beathard would be no more than a third-string option, should he even make a 53-man roster. But he knows Shanahan’s offense and has now spent six years in the league.

That’s enough to provide a little guidance to two quarterbacks who’ve combined to see nine starts at the NFL level.