No debate over QB, Shanahan stresses
Coach says Hoyer gives team best chance to win
The Brian Hoyer era in San Francisco is off to a rocky start.
Through four games, the 49ers’ quarterback has thrown twice as many interceptions (four) as touchdowns and is averaging less than 6 yards per completion. Winless San Francisco has failed to score a touchdown in three of its games, and kicker Robbie Gould — who hit five field goals in an 18-15 overtime loss to the Cardinals on Sunday — has scored more points (36) than his teammates have (30).
Despite his team’s lack of offense, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that it doesn’t have a quarterback competition. Hoyer will remain the starter and rookie C.J. Beathard, a third-round pick, will remain the backup — at least for now.
“I don’t look at it as Brian versus C.J. right now,” Shanahan said. “I look at it as what’s the best for our team right now. If I did feel (starting Beathard) was the best thing for our team at this time, I wouldn’t hesitate at all. It would be an easy decision for me if I thought it was the best thing for our team right now.
“I look into the big picture of where we’re at right now, four games into it, where our offense is, our defense is, and really just our whole building, and I don’t feel it is the best thing for our team right now. That’s something that I haven’t started to consider.”
Hoyer was particularly ineffective against the Cardinals, completing fewer than half of his passes (24 of 49) and posting a quarterback rating of 54.3, his second sub-55 mark of the season. With San Francisco desperate for a score in the fourth quarter, he completed 3 of 11 passes for 7 yards, though wide receiver Aldrick Robinson and tight ends George Kittle and Logan Paulsen each had drops at critical times.
“I think he needs to play better, and I think we need to play better around him,” Shanahan said. “Similarly to what I said (Sunday) night, when you have the time and you have guys open, you need to hit them. I thought he struggled with that at times, which I know he can do better, and he does also.
“But I also know he did make some key throws and guys weren’t catching it for him. I think it’s a two-way street and it takes everyone, coaches included. We all need to do better.”
Even though the 49ers take on one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL on Sunday at Indianapolis, Hoyer still might have his work cut out for him. Two of his top playmakers, running back Carlos Hyde and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, are dealing with injuries. Goodwin suffered a concussion against the Cardinals, his third in two seasons. Hyde isn’t fully healthy after playing through a nagging hip injury. Hyde, who said he didn’t feel like himself after the game, will be re-evaluated this week.
“I know he battled through that game and wasn’t feeling great, but he played well, and we appreciated his being out there and playing hard,” Shanahan said. “I didn’t get to talk to him personally, but I’m sure he’s extremely sore from it.”