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Kyle Shanahan says 49ers’ backup QB competition won’t heat up until training camp, knows a ‘tough decision’ looms
Jun 11, 2019 at 1:24 PM
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One of the bigger San Francisco 49ers-related storylines heading into the offseason was the battle between Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard for the backup quarterback job. Not much has been said about that competition because it hasn't heated up yet, and won't do so until training camp.
With starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo limited to individual, 1-on-1, and 7-on-7 drills as he continues rehabbing from the ACL injury suffered in Septemeber, both Mullens and Beathard have received the bulk of the reps during 11-on-11 team drills. In fact, their reps have been split evenly, says head coach Kyle Shanahan.
The two quarterbacks have been rotating on who gets the first reps. Shanahan is so unconcerned with the battle right now that he didn't even notice who received the first-team reps during Tuesday's practice. It was Beathard, by the way.
"Then Nick will probably be tomorrow," Shanahan said. "I think that's the rotation we've been doing."
So what did Shanahan think of Beathard's play on the practice field?
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"From what I saw out there, I thought he did a good job," Shanahan responded. "C.J. has had a real good camp. He's been playing real well. So has Nick. I've been excited about both of them."
The coaching staff has seen both quarterbacks take meaningful snaps in games. Both have been with the 49ers during their two NFL seasons. That's why Shanahan won't be concerned with the depth chart until training camp.
"They've both been doing a real good job; both playing at a high level," Shanahan continued. "That's been exciting. But to sit there and really stress over (it) from a coaching standpoint of trying to make the decision, we're not there yet because a lot could change.
"These guys have both proven that they can play in this league, and we're going to have to make a tough decision at the end of preseason of which one we're going to give that No. 2 job to because you don't get to compete much during the season. There's not enough reps. There's scout team, things like that.
"Really, you hope Jimmy stays healthy, so it's irrelevant who's the No. 2 guy. But the No. 2 guy does get a lot more reps in practice and stuff, so that's going to be very important for them."
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