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Since Jimmy Garoppolo’s season came to an abrupt and painful end last Sunday, the 49ers have been constantly re-evaluating the quarterback position. C.J. Beathard will take over the starting job, but the 49ers have reportedly worked out at least seven other quarterbacks as potential backup options. Currently, the only other quarterback on the roster is Nick Mullens, who was promoted from the practice squad after Garoppolo was placed on the injured reserve with a torn left ACL.
One high-profile quarterback who was not a part of those tryouts was Colin Kaepernick. Adam Schefter joined Murph and Mac this morning to discuss the 49ers’ season outlook in the wake of Garoppolo’s injury and explained why the 49ers are unlikely to sign Kaepernick.
Schefter referenced Kyle Shanahan’s comments about the several quarterbacks the team tried out on Tuesday to explain why Kaepernick wasn’t involved. Among those tryouts were Kyle Allen, Kellen Clemens, Matt Simms, Tom Savage, T.J. Yates, Landry Jones and E.J. Manuel.
“They’d have to change the offense to accommodate him and it doesn’t sound like right now, based on Kyle’s comments, that they’re willing to do that,” Schefter said. “I know that frustrates and annoys a lot of people and other people are OK with that. I’m going by what he said the other day that there would be just have to be too many things that they would have to change, which is why it didn’t sound like they would make that move.”
Shanahan said on Monday that trying to incorporate Kaepernick would mean a huge change for the offense.
“When you get into your third and fourth guy, whoever that is, we like to bring in guys we felt you don’t have to change much of your offense for,” Shanahan said.
While some fans may be disappointed to hear that the 49ers won’t bring in Kaepernick, Schefter said Beathard is likely to surprise some people with his ability.
“I think that C.J. Beathard will be better than people are expecting,” Schefter said. “I think that he will be improved over what he was last year when he was a rookie quarterback and he was asked to play five games and went 1-4. He’s going be better because he’s been in the system for over a year now and he’s had a chance to learn the offense and basically be better at the offense.”
Schefter was clear that Beathard is still a downgrade from Garoppolo, saying, “He’s not going to be Jimmy G, that’s an issue.” However, he maintained positivity about Beathard.
“I think the Niners have a pretty good backup quarterback in C.J. Beathard,” Schefter said. I think a lot of people don’t realize that, but I think he’s going to be better than people think. Maybe I could be wrong here, but I think he’s going to be better than people think.”
Earlier in the day, former 49ers safety Eric Reid was signed to a one-year deal by the Carolina Panthers. The 49ers reportedly made an offer to Reid, but he may have had to backup Jaquiski Tartt once he returned.
Both he and Kaepernick are part of a lawsuit against the NFL alleging collusion to keep both out of the league after both kneeled during the national anthem. It’s unclear how his signing will affect the lawsuit.
Whether it would have been Kaepernick or one of the quarterbacks the team worked out on Tuesday, Schefter said the 49ers aren’t too desperate to add another quarterback.
“I don’t think in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a disrespect to these quarterbacks, that it makes a huge deal,” Schefter said. “I don’t know which one they’d like. They’re not trading for one and they don’t appear to be in a rush to sign one.”
To hear Schefter’s full interview with Murph and Mac, click the link below.