San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan Needs To Leave The Baggage Behind

San Francisco 49ers incoming head coach Kyle Shanahan is inheriting a mess of a situation at quarterback – but bringing along old baggage isn’t going to fix the problem.

Kyle Shanahan is expected to be introduced as the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers this week. And he is walking into a mess of a situation that will take a little time, patience, and effort to clean up. But there is perhaps no more dire need on this team than for a quarterback.

Although you can certainly point to a number of different things that have led to the 49ers’ startlingly sudden plummet to the bottom, poor quarterback play has to be near the top of the list. And that situation doesn’t figure to get better if the rumors making the rounds are true about who Shanahan is eyeballing to bring in.

With Colin Kaepernick expected to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, and Blaine Gabbert‘s deal expiring, the 49ers are left without a viable quarterback. Assuming the team is not interested in trying to bring back either Kaepernick or Gabbert (and truthfully, they shouldn’t be) the name currently making the rounds to take over under center is – Matt Schaub.

You remember Schaub, don’t you? Once upon a time, he was a pretty good quarterback. From 2009-2012, Schaub – then with the Texans – went 34-24, threw for 15,627 yards, 90 touchdowns against just 45 interceptions.

After that four year run though, the wheels fell completely off Schaub’s wagon.

Since 2012, Schaub has made just 10 total starts, going 3-7 in those games. He’s thrown 13 touchdowns against 20 interceptions and has a QB rating hovering somewhere in the low 70’s. Since that four year run with Houston, Schaub has become better known for his penchant for throwing pick-sixes, than for solid, steady quarterback play.

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About the only positive reason being floated about for bringing Schaub to the Bay Area is his familiarity with Shanahan’s system. The idea is that Schaub would serve as a “bridge” quarterback until they get somebody better in place.

But really – there are far better options out there to serve as that bridge. There are quarterbacks that can be had – either via free agency or a trade – who could actually help turn this franchise around perhaps faster than might be thought possible.

Kirk Cousins. Jimmy Garappolo. Mike Glennon. Tony Romo. Jay Cutler. There are other names out there who might serve in the role as a “bridge” quarterback a bit better than Schaub is capable of. And in a few cases – Garappolo, Cousins, or Glennon perhaps, they might be able to hold down that position for a little while to come.

The 49ers already have one of the best ground games in the league, ranking fourth in the entire league last year. And they have some solid receivers in Torrey Smith – a forgotten man last year – Quinton Patton, and should they make a play to retain him, Jeremy Kerley.

All they need to be competitive offensively, is a decent option at quarterback – something Schaub hasn’t proven capable of being since 2012. Being familiar with Shanahan’s system is helpful. But it shouldn’t be the sole criteria on which he chooses to bring in a quarterback. And Schaub’s history should be reason enough to leave him behind in Atlanta.

Next: John Lynch Already Making an Impact For The 49ers

San Francisco has a better than average running game. They’ve got some solid options in the passing game. If they can bring in a quarterback who can prove to be more competent than we’ve seen in the last couple of seasons, this 49ers team might be able to field an offense that can win a few games.