San Francisco 49ers Reported To Have Their Bridge Quarterback

The San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback search is apparently over as they are being reported to be set to sign a veteran signal caller when the free agency window opens.

New San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan had quite a challenge when he took over – he was inheriting a roster without a quarterback. With Blaine Gabbert‘s contract expiring and Colin Kaepernick opting out of his deal, Shanahan had a clean slate to work with as he and new GM John Lynch go about re-building this franchise.

Apparently, Shanahan and Lynch have found their man to get this new era of 49ers football started. And that man is – Brian Hoyer.

You’ll be excused if you aren’t falling all over yourselves with excitement.

Hoyer’s signing, while not exactly earth-shattering, fits with Shanahan’s stated plan – which was to sign a veteran to serve as a bridge player. That would give the team time to develop a younger player – say, Deshaun Watson?

And with Matt Schaub – believed to be Shanahan’s first choice – choosing to re-up with Atlanta, that left Hoyer as the next best alternative on a less than impressive free agent quarterback market.

All things considered though, signing Hoyer – though not an incredibly sexy deal – isn’t all that terrible, at first blush.

Over the past two seasons, Hoyer has completed 63 percent of his passes (358/569), for 4,051 yards, with 25 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Of course, he owns a record of 6-8 over that span – as well as one epic disaster of a playoff game for Houston (four interceptions, zero touchdowns) in 2015.

All things considered though, over the last two seasons, Hoyer has played pretty well.

The team has signed him to a two-year deal worth $6 million per season. Incentives believed to be easily attainable could raise Hoyer’s pay to the $9 million dollar per season mark. Hoyer has $10 million in guaranteed money in his deal.

So essentially, the 49ers are getting their starting quarterback for backup quarterback kind of money.

Given the fact that Hoyer has played pretty well overall over the last couple of seasons, coming to a team that seems determined to build a strong cast around him can only help. Behind Carlos Hyde, the 49ers had the league’s fourth-best ground game last season – which should certainly take plenty of pressure off of Hoyer.

But Lynch and Shanahan are building a very interesting looking receiving group – though many still believe releasing Torrey Smith was a mistake.

However, Hoyer is going to have Jeremy Kerley to throw to – the 49ers just re-signed him to a three-year, $10.5 million dollar deal. It’s also expected that San Francisco will be signing former Bill Marquise Goodwin and former Washington receiver Pierre Garcon.

San Francisco looks to have a good blend of youth and experience in their receiving group – which will also greatly benefit Hoyer and this 49ers offense.

Next: 49ers New GM Getting Right Down To Business

So, Hoyer is the bridge. But the question then becomes – the bridge to whom? Watson? DeShone Kizer? Mitch Trubisky? Patrick Mahomes?

That’s unfortunately, a question that won’t have an answer until late April when Philadelphia hosts the NFL Draft. But for now, at least one piece of the puzzle has been settled and the picture is starting to come into focus – much more clearly than the last couple of seasons, to be sure.