National Football League

San Francisco 49ers: How Kyle Shanahan Can Address the Quarterback Situation

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:37 p.m. ET

Fansided, Robert Smith/FanSided via Niner Noise

Jun 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan coaches during minicamp at Falcons Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

As Kyle Shanahan begins his head coaching career with the San Francisco 49ers, he will need to tackle one major task: find a franchise quarterback. Niner Noise takes a look at possible short-term and long-term solutions to fill the most important position in football.

While everyone knows the San Francisco 49ers need quarterbacks, especially considering Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder and Colin Kaepernick more than likely will not return in 2017, opinions vary on exactly what the best route to take to achieve that goal.

There are a few options that could very well be the way to go in 2017.

General manager John Lynch recently noted, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, the Niners are “looking at every scenario” when determining what to do under center.

This could mean dipping into free agency. Or it might mean exploring options in the 2017 NFL Draft.

And maybe San Francisco considers in-house options as well.

But a lot of it will depend on what new head coach Kyle Shanahan sees as the best fit at the position. He’ll have a lot of influence.

So let’s look at a few difference scenarios in which Shanahan and Lynch come up with an answer to this pressing question.

Nov 13, 2016; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is congratulated by fans after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at FedEx Field. The Washington Redskins won 26 – 20. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1: Sign a free agent

Various reports have Kyle Shanahan enamored with the idea of signing Kirk Cousins away from the Washington Redskins with a huge guaranteed contract, especially considering the 49ers will have nearly $80 million in cap space.

More than likely, the Redskins will slap a franchise tag on Cousins, much as they did for 2016.

And while the Niners can easily afford that contract, Cousins would command some awfully hefty compensation.

With Adam Schefter of ESPN reporting Matt Schaub could follow Shanahan to the Niners, that could very well bridge the gap until the 49ers settle on their franchise guy. Or it could also just be a chance to sign a capable backup.

Other options could include Minnesota Viking’s Shaun Hill or Tampa Bay’s Mike Glennon, both of whom are set to become free agents.

Oct 15, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts a pass against the Miami Hurricanes during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: Draft a quarterback

Numerous mock drafts have the 49ers selecting Mitch Trubisky, Deshone Kizer or Deshaun Watson with the second pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Now with Kyle Shanahan’s success working with different types of quarterbacks, there is a certain level of confidence that he could make that work. However, my person opinion is that none of these quarterbacks are worth the second overall pick.

Perhaps the 49ers wait until one of the later rounds and look at a guy like Cal’s Davis Webb, Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly or Brad Kaaya from the University of Miami.

That would afford them the luxury of developing a prospect or two over the next few seasons without the pressure of having to start him right away.

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) directs the offense during the second half against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Trade for a quarterback

While there would be an outside chance the Redskins would sign Kirk Cousins and then trade him for draft capital, the possibility of that seems very remote.

However, there is high probability that New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo will be available this offseason. And while the cost could be a second- or even a first-round pick, there may be multiple teams interested in acquiring him.

In a report on Pro Football Talk, Kyle Shanahan told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he liked Garoppolo heading into the 2014 draft. The Browns ended up selecting Johnny Manziel in the first round and the rest is history.

And while there are plenty of skeptics who will say Garoppolo is fool’s gold coming from the Patriots system, there is at least game footage of him having tremendous success on the NFL stage as opposed to a college QB, who is a complete unknown quantity.

Feb 1, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan answers questions at a press conference for Super Bowl LI at Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: A combination of any of the above

Kyle Shanahan could bring Matt Schaub over on a cap-friendly deal and still draft a quarterback in April’s draft.

Perhaps he decides on a defensive player like Alabama’s Reuben Foster or Jonathan Allen with the second overall pick and drafts Davis Webb, Chad Kelly, Brad Kaaya or Texas Tech’s Pat Mahomes after the first round.