Niners take a look at Flacco
Veteran QB a potential backup for Garoppolo
Joe Flacco is again on the 49ers’ radar, eight years after he handed them their first-ever Super Bowl loss.
The 49ers, in their hunt for an upgraded backup to Jimmy Garoppolo, hosted Flacco on Thursday for a free agency visit, his agent confirmed.
Flacco, 36, is a 13-year veteran who’d provide the game-winning experience 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan craves in case Garoppolo gets shelved by injuries like in the 2018 and ‘20 seasons.
Flacco worked in an offensive scheme similar to the 49ers’ in 2019, with the Denver Broncos and thenoffensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, who’s returned this year to the 49ers’ quarterback-coach role he held in 2017-18.
Scangarello called Flacco a “perfect fit for the type and style of offense we play” shortly after the Broncos acquired him in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens, where Flacco played his first 11 years.
“His resume is really solid when you look at the
course of his career,” Scangarello told the Denver Post in April 2019. “More than anything, I think his skill set marries very, very well with the type of offense we run. He’s tough, he stands in the pocket, he can make all the throws.
“Those are the things you want in a quarterback.”
Flacco most recently went 0-4 as the New York Jets’ fill-in starter last season.
His Ravens tenure was highlighted by their 2012 season that ended with a 34-31 Super Bowl win over the 49ers in New Orleans. He passed for three touchdowns and 287 yards with no interceptions that game. Flacco worked in Baltimore with then-offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, who has extensive ties to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and his father Mike.
Flacco’s career stats: 9877 record, 40,931 yards, 224 touchdowns, 144 interceptions, 84.1 passer rating.
One of Flacco’s teammates with the Ravens:
fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who just re-signed with the 49ers.
Several other quarterbacks have agreed to contacts elsewhere this week, the most recent being Mitchell Trubisky with the Buffalo Bills on a one-year deal Thursday.
Garoppolo is entering his fifth season with the 49ers and was limited to six games last season because of ankle injuries. Josh Rosen and Josh Johnson are the other quarterbacks on the 49ers’ roster.
Veterans who’ve been rumored as trade candidates
with the 49ers are Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans), Sam Darnold (New York Jets), Teddy Bridgewater (Carolina Panthers) and Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville Jaguars). The Raiders’ Marcus Mariota also could be available if he reportedly does not accept a pay cut.
General manager John Lynch attended Thursday’s pro day workouts at Stanford, his alma mater, where quarterback Davis Mills likely improved his draft stock with a solid showing in the rain.
MACK SIGNS DEAL >> Center
Alex Mack officially signed a three-year deal reuniting he and Kyle Shanahan from their days with the Cleveland Browns (2014) and Atlanta Falcons (2015-16).
“I was looking for a team that was competitive and obviously there’s a connection with Kyle Shanahan and the offense he runs,” Mack said on a video call with reporters. “I know it’s a system I can be really good in and an offense I can excel at.”
“We are excited to add another Pro Bowl player to our offensive line,” general manager John Lynch
said. “Throughout his career, Alex has been a model of consistency. His leadership and high character will be felt throughout our team and community.”
The 49ers have not yet announced Wednesday’s deal with their other Pro Bowl lineman, Trent Williams, whose contract reportedly is a three-year, $61 million pact with a threeyear team option.
Mack replaces the void created by injuries to Weston Richburg, who has struggled getting on the field since signing a fiveyear deal in 2018.