Quarterback Nick Mullens will make his first NFL road start when the San Francisco 49ers visit Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent the majority of his pro career buried in the depth chart serving as a role player on the scout team. Seeing Mullens lined up at safety during practices was not uncommon.
Now, the second-year player is getting the starting quarterback reps during those practices. Mullens has the security of knowing that, barring something unforeseen, he will be the starter for the remainder of the season.
"My mindset doesn't change no matter what position I'm in for the Niners," Mullens told reporters on Wednesday afternoon. "Nothing changes. My work ethic doesn't change, and it's up to me to really just do everything that I've done to get here. So I've just got to continue the same approach and keep getting better every day."
Mullens received an opportunity to prove himself when an injury sidelined then-starting-quarterback C.J. Beathard against the Oakland Raiders. Mullens took advantage of the opportunity and led the 49ers to a dominant win, which was just their second of the season.
In two NFL starts, Mullens has completed 70.5 percent of his passes for 512 yards with four touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 104.0. He is not complacent in his role as the 49ers' starting quarterback.
"I have to prove myself every single day, every single rep, and every single play," Mullens said. "It's just the way the league works, and it's how I want to be. I want to achieve, and if you don't, I know what comes."
Mullens will be back with the 49ers next season but will likely be pushed back down the depth chart after Jimmy Garoppolo returns. Mullens has six games left this season to prove that he, not Beathard, deserves to be Garoppolo's backup. For now, he is focused on preparing for the Buccaneers.
"Those thoughts, they can't enter your head, and honestly, they don't matter," Mullens said. "The only thing that matters right now is this practice coming up. If I do good at this practice, then I guess I'll leave a positive impression. That's really the only thing that matters at this time."