Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard competition has some different numbers

So after the 49ers victory over the Denver Broncos Monday, there’s a few questions to be answered. Like, will Jimmy Garoppolo look better? Why didn’t they call roughing the kicker on Mitch Wishnowsky? And most importantly: who’s winning the backup quarterback battle between C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens?

Truthfully, who knows?

Beathard started the game after Garoppolo’s three series. He had completed five of 11 passes (45 percent) for 81 yards . That’s the stat line. No touchdowns, no interceptions. He took one sack, but that was it.

Nick Mullens had a much better completion percentage of 66. He completed 66 percent of his passes for a 134.7 passer rating. Too bad he only three three total passes the entire game. That’s right, he went 2/3. What Mullens lacks in passing yards he makes up for with having a touchdown notched in his stat line.

Beathard could have done a bit better, if Kendrick Bourne could have held onto a perfectly placed pass. Had Bourne held onto it, the 49ers could have another touchdown added to the box score, assuming they punch it in on the next few plays.

We’ll get to see more of this battle in Week 3 where a decision might be made. I doubt Kyle Shanahan wants his backup to get dinged up in Week 4 of the preseason, so we may have a decision before that happens. Or Shanahan could have Week 4 be the final push on who he decides backs up Garoppolo.

Where do you stand on the backup quarterback after Monday?