Why do the 49ers have such faith in Nate Sudfield?
The San Francisco 49ers have invested decent money and are displaying great confidence in a former sixth-round pick on his third NFL team who has zero career starts, 37 pass attempts and 69 snaps.
The obvious question: Why? What has inspired them to entrust one of the NFL'S most crucial positions — backup quarterback — to Nate Sudfeld, 28, who is largely unknown and nearly wholly unproven?
That question was posed Wednesday to two 49ers assistants who work closely with Sudfeld: passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese.
Griese, a longtime NFL quarterback who joined the staff in March after spending the past 12 years as an ESPN analyst, said he has been struck by Sudfeld's work ethic, the respect he has among his teammates and some notable physical attributes. The strong-armed Sudfeld is 6-foot-6 and 227 pounds.
Still, the 49ers are relying on Sudfeld to keep them afloat if Trey Lance is sidelined after a rookie season in which he suffered two injuries — a broken finger and sprained knee — despite limited playing time.
“You say (Sudfeld) doesn't have any pedigree or experience,” Griese said. “There's also no experience of him not being able to do the job. I've seen that happen a number of times where people say, `Well, this guy can't do it' Oh, really? Well, give him the opportunity and see if he can do it. I've been really encouraged by Nate and his approach. His skill set. His mind-set. So I'm looking forward to seeing how much better he can get.”
Slowik, speaking a day after Sudfeld launched the most picturesque throw of Tuesday's practice — a 50-yard rainbow that hit wide receiver Malik Turner in stride — highlight his arm strength and Xs-and-os intellect.
“He can throw it, for sure,” Slowik said. “Obviously, there's a lot more that goes into the position than just being able to throw. And that's what's really been awesome about working with him. He enjoys all the other things that go along with the position.”
One of those things — a desire and ability to absorb head coach Kyle Shanahan's intricate offense — impressed the 49ers last year after they signed Sudfeld to a one-year deal. In training camp, Sudfeld easily beat out Josh Rosen, the No. 10 pick in 2018, and spent most of the season on the practice squad as the de facto No. 3 quarterback behind Jimmy Garoppolo and Lance.
Sudfeld didn't throw a pass in 2021. But it became clear in March that he made a positive impression: The 49ers signed him to a one-year deal that included $2 million guaranteed, a contract that signaled he'd back up Lance this season. He's now continuing an education that began last year when he joined a system with different footwork and timing from those he'd played in with Washington (2016) and Philadelphia (2017-2020).
“We knew a little bit about him (last year) before he got here,” Slowik said. “And then we just saw him work every day. We had a lot of quarterbacks last year at this time. And he really worked to do what exactly what we ask our quarterback to do and was able to make that adjustment.
“And he is a talented thrower. He has everything you need to play the position. He has all the tools. And then to see him slowly get more comfortable with our offense. And then by the time we got to training camp, he was able to go out and execute plays exactly how we want them executed and take command.”
Sudfeld joined the 49ers after he received a strong recommendation from former 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, who was an Eagles offensive assistant when Sudfeld was in Philadelphia in 2020. It was Scangarello who in 2017 urged the 49ers to sign undrafted Southern Miss quarterback Nick Mullens, who in 2020 joined Joe Montana as the only players in franchise history to throw for at least 220 yards in nine straight starts.
Mullens, who lacked size and arm strength, was surprisingly effective in his 16 fill-in starts during his four-season 49ers tenure. Still, the 49ers went 5-11 over that time with Mullens, which underscored an NFL reality: Most teams' seasons are sunk if their starting quarterback is sidelined for a significant stretch.
This offseason, the 49ers didn't invest in higher-priced, freeagent backup options such as Tyrod Taylor, who signed with the Giants, and Jacoby Brissett, who landed with the Browns.
Instead, they brought back Sudfeld because they believe he has the ability to carry out his assignments after spending a season absorbing their offense.
“All of us were very pleased, seeing where he was at, at the end of last year,” Slowik said. “And he has everything you need to do it. So that was all we really needed to see.”