The San Francisco 49ers were commented on and related to apparently all available defenders. The team currently has two quarterbacks under contract for 2021: Jimmy Garoppolo and Josh Johnson.
CJ Beathard is an unrestricted free agent. The former third-round pick had the opportunity to prove that the team should bring him back last season, but Beathard did not do enough to inspire confidence in him to move on.
Nick Mullens is a restricted free agent. When you are pulled by Beathard, the writing is on the wall. Mullens recently underwent elbow surgery that will not stop him from missing the 2021 season, but you imagine it will influence the Niners’ decision to bring Mullens back next season.
This brings us to Josh Rosen, who Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported that the 49ers are bringing back the exclusive rights-free agent. San Francisco has yet to make an offer to Rosen, but Garafolo said it should be done soon.
As of now, we are looking at a quarterback room that includes Jimmy, Rosen and Johnson, although it makes sense to add a newcomer at some point during the NFL Draft. In the NFL Network article, this stood out:
It seems like 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 made a call about a QB.
The report begins by talking about how to negotiate with Carson Wentz. This is not to say that San Francisco made a call specifically about Wentz, but it could mean that the team was in fact interested in Matthew Stafford or put a guy like Wentz to the test.
Kyle Shanahan left the door open at the end of the season when he said the team was looking for an upgrade in the quarterback. I have a hard time believing that the team did not make a call to Stafford, and there are conflicting reports about that. If the Niners were in Stafford, I bet they would be interested in guys like Wentz and whoever else is available.
This looks like a “Jimmy is our guy” situation until he’s gone.