"I was good to go with him," Shanahan responded when asked if it was a close decision. "I know that I said (after the game) Nick didn't play very well but no one played well, and I didn't coach well. So it was all of us and Nick did a good job in his first two games. It was not the reason [we lost] yesterday, so that's not fair to do that to him."
Mullens became the 49ers' starting quarterback leading to the team's Week 9 contest against the Oakland Raiders. He replaced an injured C.J. Beathard, who had started the five previous games.
"Jimmy (Garoppolo) is our quarterback," Shanahan continued. "Everyone knows that. C.J. (Beathard) got an opportunity when Jimmy got hurt, and Nick got an opportunity when C.J. got hurt. We're playing this year out with our two and three, and we'll see how games go.
"We're going to do everything we can to win a game. I know we're preparing with Nick, and if he ever struggled, I'd bring in C.J., so we'll see how it goes."
Mullens' NFL debut was impressive. He completed 16-of-22 (72.7 percent) passes for 262 yards with three touchdowns and a passer rating of 151.9 in a dominant 34-3 victory over the visiting Raiders.
Mullens' level of play has declined since. He posted a 151.9 rating against Oakland, a 73.7 rating in Week 10 against the New York Giants, and a 62.1 rating this past Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mullens was 18-of-32 for 221 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 62.1 in that most recent outing.
The 49ers signed Mullens as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss last year. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad. San Francisco promoted Mullens to the active roster on September 26 following the season-ending injury to Jimmy Garoppolo.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
What was Kyle Shanahan's message to 49ers after sloppy loss to Falcons?
San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Kaelon Black scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. However, his milestone came in a disappointing loss, as the Falcons handed the previously undefeated 49ers a 29-20 defeat at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kaelon... -
Kyle Shanahan shares 49ers updates headed into the bye week
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters during a conference call on Monday, one day after the team's 29-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers are headed into their bye week. Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications... -
Kyle Shanahan addresses 49ers' trade outlook ahead of NFL deadline
The San Francisco 49ers continue to be linked to potential trades, and for good reason. At 6-1, they are legitimate contenders, but another injury-plagued season has raised questions about their roster depth. San Francisco could strengthen its roster before the NFL trade... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan provides new kicker update amid Eddy Piñeiro's struggles
Following Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team might consider working out other kickers during its bye week. For now, however, the 49ers appear comfortable sticking with Eddy Piñeiro, despite his struggles this...