Backup QB Beathard goes to Jaguars; corner Williams stays
C.J. Beathard, the only quarterback drafted by 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan since 2017, is now a Jacksonville Jaguar.
Rather than return to back up Jimmy Garoppolo, Beathard signed Wednesday, presumably as a backup to incoming No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence from Clemson.
That makes former Jaguars starter Gardner Minshew more expendable and a potential trade candidate to the 49ers, who are seeking depth behind Garoppolo and competition for current backups Josh Rosen and Josh Johnson.
Beathard landed a twoyear, $5 million plus incentives, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke held that title with the 49ers prior to being succeeded by John Lynch upon Shanahan’s hiring.
Beathard went 2-10 as the 49ers’ fill-in starter, going 1-4 as a rookie (third-round pick, Iowa) and 0-5 in 2018. He won his next start in last season’s penultimate game against Arizona.
Beathard totaled 18 touchdown passes, 13 interceptions and 46 sacks while earning teammates’ respect for his toughness.
Nick Mullens, who split backup duties with Beathard since Garoppolo’s ascent in December 2017, is a free agent as he rehabilitates a surgically repaired elbow.
• The 49ers reportedly retained a key free agent earlier Wednesday: K’Waun Williams, their slot cornerback since 2017. He agreed to return on a one-year deal, NFL Network first reported.
Also re-signed this past month were projected starting cornerbacks Jason Verrett (one year, $5.5 million) and Emmanuel Moseley (two years, $10 million), as well as Tuesday’s return of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (one year, terms unknown). Free safety Jimmie Ward is the secondary’s other starter, and the seven-year veteran is signed through 2022 as the 49ers’ longest-tenured player.
Cornerback Richard Sherman remains on the market after three seasons with the 49ers.
Williams visited the Chiefs this week and also considered the New York Jets and the Detroit Lions, according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.