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Kyle Shanahan had answered questions for six weeks about Nick Mullens. When Jimmy Garoppolo went down with a season-ending knee injury in Week 3, some wondered whether Mullens, a 23-year-old practice squad quarterback with little name recognition, should be promoted to backup. When C.J. Beathard hurt his right wrist, jeopardizing his Week 9 availability, the questions resurfaced.
Shanahan consistently answered that Mullens is on the roster for a reason. Then Mullens answered for himself, resoundingly, when he diced the Oakland Raiders in San Francisco’s 34-3 win last Thursday.
The second-year quarterback completed 16 of 22 throws for 262 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. His near-perfect performance put him in the same category as all-time greats Fran Tarkenton and Jim Kelly as the only quarterbacks to throw for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in their NFL debuts.
Mullens’ performance, of course, came against perhaps the NFL’s worst defense. But he showed many of the necessary traits found in every successful NFL quarterback — excellent timing, accuracy, and execution under pressure — that lend optimism. With Beathard likely available in Week 10, Shanahan has not publicly disclosed which quarterback will start, but it’s hard to imagine it not being Mullens.
Last Thursday, the 49ers scored on the first possession for the fourth time in the past six games. Shanahan helped Mullens find a groove by dialing up quick passes and misdirection that led to wide open plays, including Pierre Garcon’s 24-yard touchdown to end the drive. Mullens completed all three of his passes for 41 yards on the first drive.
The difference between his performance and many of Beathard’s, however, is that Mullens sustained his rhythm throughout the game.
On the following 49ers offensive possession, Mullens hit Garcon for a 25-yard gain over the middle. Mullens put enough touch on the throw to drop it in over Raiders cornerback Leon Hall. Richie James was also wide open on the play.
Later in the drive, Mullens made one of his few mistakes all game. On second and goal at the Oakland four-yard line, he tried squeezing a throw into tight coverage for Marquise Goodwin. The ball slipped through Raiders cornerback Daryl Worley’s hands. It appeared Mullens’ first read was Garcon. By the time Mullens turned his head to Goodwin, the window had closed.
Mullens redeemed himself one play later, finding Kendrick Bourne for a touchdown. This featured more crafty play-design from Shanahan, who sent Bourne in motion from the left side to the right, where he matched up with Raiders safety Marcus Gilchrist. Bourne burned him, and Mullens delivered the strike.
One of the most impressive parts of Mullens’ performance was his decisiveness. When he committed to a throw, he hit it.
With more than a minute left in the first quarter, he connected with James, who turned the short catch into a 53-yard gain. Mullens initially looked Goodwin’s way, swaying the single-high safety just enough to open the field for James.
The 49ers have been prone to second-half lapses after strong first halves. But they put the Raiders away last Thursday largely due to starting the second half strong, thanks to an opening scoring drive that extended San Francisco’s lead to 21.
Two plays into the third quarter, tight end George Kittle made one of the top catches of the NFL season. Mullens, facing pressure, fit the throw between four Raiders defenders. Kittle turned upfield for the 71-yard gain.
While it was a risky pass, Mullens executed it by first looking off the middle linebacker just enough to create the throwing window. He used his eyes well throughout the game.
With the 49ers leading by three scores early in the third quarter, all Mullens had to do thereafter was manage the game. He did that. Even in his incompletions, he made smart throws, like the one intended for Garcon below.
Shanahan prepared a game plan conducive for Mullens’ success. The 49ers ran the ball 32 times and passed it 22 times, though their second-half lead inflated the rushing numbers a bit. The running attack opened up play-action and quick-hitting throws, and Mullens executed.
Of his six incompletions, one was on a James drop he should have caught, another was on a back-shoulder pass to Garcon, and two more were on rollouts. These were tough plays that Mullens figures to improve upon with more game reps. When he threw from the pocket, he was near-perfect. He was as good as the numbers suggest.
The 49ers coaching staff has maintained the best players will play. Shanahan has reiterated that Mullens, who is universally praised for his work ethic, knows the playbook as well as anyone on the team. If these messages are consistent, Mullens will start in Week 10, when the 49ers welcome the New York Giants on Monday Night Football.