49ers backup QB Beathard drawing interest at trade deadline, report says

The 49ers are in a position other NFL teams surely envy, and it’s not simply that they’re undefeated heading into Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

San Francisco has three NFL-quality quarterbacks on its roster.

Jimmy Garoppolo has helped the team to its 6-0 start, and Nick Mullens showed last year he is a capable backup in this league.

C.J. Beathard, who’s on the Niners roster but has been inactive in all the team’s 2019 games, has been the subject of trade calls fielded by the 49ers, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

49ers have gotten inquiries on backup QB C.J. Beathard, a name that bears some watching at the trade deadline.

Despite Falcons TE Austin Hooper being in the last year of his contract and team being pressed against cap, Atlanta will not trade its young TE by Tuesday’s deadline.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 27, 2019

Mullens beat out the former third-round pick in training camp to be Garoppolo’s immediate backup, making Beathard more expendable.

Teams in search of a solid backup plan at quarterback know that’s something Beathard would likely provide. He started five games each of the last two seasons, totaling 12 touchdowns versus 13 interceptions. His 74.6 career quarterback rating is hardly eye-popping, but he’s a better option than many teams have as their first line of defense behind a starter.

It’s entirely possible, if not likely, that the Niners leaked this information to Schefter in an effort to gin up interest in a player they don’t expect to use. Any return for a guy who’s not made the gameday roster would probably be considered a win for the 49ers.

Beathard has one year and $1.1 million left on his rookie contract, according to Spotrac.

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