49ers vs. Colts: Brian Hoyer not facing ‘do-or-die’ game, and probably won’t in 2017

It doesn’t really matter how Brian Hoyer plays in the grand scheme of things. Sure, it matters to him, and Kyle Shanahan would love it if Hoyer picked things up and performed better, but he’s rendering the service requested of him: be a bridge.

C.J. Beathard isn’t ready to play yet, and he’s not going to be soon. He doesn’t do anything better than Hoyer at the moment, and he’s probably not the guy for the future, either.

Hoyer is a stopgap, and while he’s struggled in some areas not expected, Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts isn’t a “do-or-die” situation for him. He could go out and play terribly against the Colts, and Shanahan would have no reason to replace him with Beathard or find someone else.

I’m a believer in Hoyer’s skillset as a journeyman quarterback and I personally hope he bounces back but honestly, his play is immaterial to the 49ers’ future, whether you like it or not. I personally don’t feel that Beathard would get anything from playing right now.

We’ve talked in the past about Hoyer’s leash, and I think it’s very long, obviously. The more I see him play, the longer I think it is, even as he struggles. It sure would be nice for him to stop struggling, at least for a little bit, but it’s simply the state of the team right now.

There are those who want to see what someone like Beathard can do but honestly, the 49ers already know. Beathard practices every week and spent the preseason showing the 49ers what kind of quarterback he is now. Him playing in Week 17 wouldn’t really give anybody any clarity.

What do you all think?