Lake County Record-Bee

49ers QBs have had turnover issues

- By Cam Inman

Since 2017, San Francisco 49ers quarterbac­ks have thrown 65 intercepti­ons. In comparison, New Orleans’ Drew Brees has thrown 20.

Since 2018, 49ers quarterbac­ks have thrown 50 intercepti­ons. In comparison, Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers has thrown 10.

Since 2019, 49ers quarterbac­ks have thrown 30 intercepti­ons. In comparison, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes has thrown 10.

OK, OK, so not everybody can have a Hall of Fame-caliber sharp shooter. Nor does that assure multiple Super Bowl rings, though the above mentioned trio does have one apiece. It’s just that the 49ers’ serial penchant for yielding intercepti­ons, not to mention stripsack fumbles, has helped drive them out of the playoffs in three of four seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan.

Mass injuries, of course, have been a dubious accomplice in those losing seasons in 2017 (610), ‘18 (4-12) and this season (59, with two games to go).

There’s plenty of scorn to go around, about the supporting cast of linemen and receivers, about various plays calls or overachiev­ing defenses or bad luck.

Shabby, untrustwor­thy quarterbac­k play has been an unmistakab­le downfall, even in an offensive scheme that relies most on run plays. When it’s time to pass, failed comebacks ensue.

Nick Mullens’ turnover-prone ways this season, in relief of Jimmy Garoppolo’s turnover prone ways, finally could prompt Shanahan to start C. J. Beathard their final two games. Beathard, by the way, committed 16 turnovers while going 1-9 as a starter in 2017 and ‘18.

To close their 26th straight season without a Lombardi Trophy win, the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday and the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 3. Both games take place at the Car

 ?? ANDA CHU — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FILE ?? San Francisco 49ers quarterbac­k Nick Mullens (4) throws a pass during training camp in Santa Clara in 2019.
ANDA CHU — BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FILE San Francisco 49ers quarterbac­k Nick Mullens (4) throws a pass during training camp in Santa Clara in 2019.

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