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The San Francisco 49ers have been rumored and linked to seemingly every quarterback available. The team currently has two quarterbacks under contract for 2021: Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh Johnson.
C.J. Beathard is an unrestricted free agent. The former third-round pick had his opportunities to prove that the team should bring him back this past season, but Beathard didn’t do enough to inspire confidence in him moving forward.
Nick Mullens is a restricted free agent. When you are pulled for Beathard, the writing is on the wall. Mullens recently underwent elbow surgery that won’t prevent him from missing the 2021 season, but you’d imagine that will factor into the Niners' decision to bring Mullens back next season.
That brings us to Josh Rosen, who NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported that the 49ers are bringing back the exclusive rights free agent. San Francisco still needs to tender Rosen an offer, but Garafolo said that’s expected to be done soon.
As of now, we’re looking at a quarterback room that includes Jimmy, Rosen, and Johnson, though it’d make sense to add a rookie at some point during the NFL Draft. In the NFL Network article, this stood out:
It seems everyone wants a quarterback or is willing to upgrade. The Bears, Colts, 49ers, Panthers, Washington, Patriots, Jets and Broncos are among those who have at least placed a phone call regarding a QB.
The report leads with talking about trading for Carson Wentz. That’s not to suggest San Francisco made a call about Wentz specifically, but it could mean the team was indeed interested in Matthew Stafford or has put out feelers for a guy like Wentz.
Kyle Shanahan left the door open at the end of the season when he said the team was looking to upgrade at quarterback. I have a difficult time believing the team didn’t make a phone call on Stafford, and there have been conflicting reports about that. If the Niners were in on Stafford, I’d bet they’re going to be interested in guys like Wentz and whoever else is made available.
This feels like a “Jimmy is our guy” situation until he’s not.