Since the start of head coach Kyle Shanahan's tenure in San Francisco, several analysts have made the claim any quarterback can succeed in his system.
The claim resurfaced after San Francisco's Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints. Backup quarterback Mac Jones filled in for the starter, Brock Purdy, and put together a solid outing, completing 26 of his 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns.
Because of Jones' performance, not only has it made a strong case against Purdy's production and "elite" status, but it adds to the idea that any quarterback can succeed with Shanahan calling plays.
But is this true? Well, it depends on who is the one quarterback.
Before Shanahan became the Niners head coach, he was calling plays for a few other teams. And the success does vary a bit.
Not all 49ers QBs have success under Kyle Shanahan
Taking a look at some of the quarterbacks who have been the starting quarterback in Shanahan's system prior to Purdy taking over, it hasn't been too outstanding. Outside of Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco's starting quarterbacks had an overall record of 9-29. That includes a 4-20 record in Shanahan's first two seasons (2017 and 2018).
Garoppolo was a quarterback who had a strong record on paper as he went 33-17 as a starter after his 5-0 start after being traded in the middle of the 2017 season. However, during that time, Garoppolo went 11-11 as a starter when he attempted 30 or more passes in a game. He also went 0-2 in the playoffs when asked to throw the ball more. In a lot of ways, many can credit the wins to the defense and the overall team effort despite the quarterback play.
So, in terms of quarterbacks, what does Shanahan look for? Well, back in 2021, one of the coach's former backup quarterbacks spoke with KNBR about the type of quarterback Shanahan looks for. Usually, the profile is: someone who can read the defense well, has good footwork, and someone who can get the football out quickly and accurately,
There are plenty of quarterbacks who fall under this archetype. In 2009, Matt Schaub found plenty of success under Shanahan's offense with the Houston Texans. Schaub was seventh in passer rating, top five in completion percentage and passing touchdowns, and led the league in completions and passing yards. When Shanahan became offensive coordinator in Washington, he made the move of getting the team to draft Kirk Cousins in the 2013 NFL Draft despite drafting quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. Shanahan believed Cousins fit the offensive scheme and wanted the Niners to make a trade for Cousins once he became a head coach. And, in 2016 with the Atlanta Falcons, Shanahan turned quarterback Matt Ryan into the league's MVP.
Although Shanahan believed he found the same type of quarterback in Trey Lance—for whom he traded three first-round picks to get him in 2021—it didn't pan out in his favor. He later called the pick a mistake after attempting to go with a quarterback who didn't fit the usual mold he found success with in his career as a play-caller.
It almost set San Francisco back years and could've cost him and general manager John Lynch their jobs, had the team not found success with Purdy.
However, there was another first-round quarterback whom Shanahan wanted in the same draft. That quarterback was Jones, who has fit the archetype of Shanahan's offense.
Luckily for Shanahan, both his starter and backup fit the type of player he wants leading his offense.
So, in some ways, yes, there are quarterbacks who have found success in Shanahan's system. But there are also plenty of more quarterbacks who have failed. If so, then Rex Grossman, Donovan McNabb, Johnny Manziel, Nick Mullens, and Lance would've had the same success as Purdy. John Beck and CJ Beathard didn't experience the same winning percentage as Garoppolo.
There is a specific type of quarterback Shanahan looks for. And he's found plenty of success with all of them.