The San Francisco 49ers are in familiar territory and it’s not surprising that it centers around the play of the quarterback position.
Brian Hoyer signed a two-year deal based on his familiarity with Kyle Shanahan’s system and did not impress in the preseason. He has played even worse to start the season and now the 49ers have a quarterback dilemma.
Not all the blame goes on the 49ers quarterback. The offensive line has struggled in pass protection for years and Shanahan gets some blame for wanting Hoyer who is purely a pocket passer and that has shown. He has gotten sacked too easily and against the Seattle Seahawks today got whistled for intentional grounding as he panicked when pressure came.
Yet, later in the game his inability to handle the pressure of the Seahawks defense cost the 49ers a chance at a win. On a third and eight he threw a four yard slant to tight end Garrett Celek. The 49ers offense has not scored a touchdown yet, which necessitates a change.
So it’s not likely Shanahan will go with rookie C.J. Beathard. The options then for San Francisco are Matt Barkley who was in camp with the 49ers or Colin Kaepernick who is reportedly ready and has kept himself in shape.
It’s not too premature for the 49ers to make a change at quarterback and delaying the inevitable isn’t helpful.