Beathard earns starting nod as 49ers QB

Oct 16, 2017 - 12:02 AM LANDOVER, Md. -- San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard couldn't author a storybook ending when he replaced Brian Hoyer in Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Washington Redskins.

He did, however, earn himself a job.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, after watching his team fall to 0-6 with their fifth straight loss by three or fewer points, said Beathard will remain the team's starter.

"I thought he came in and competed," Shanahan said. "By no means were things perfect, but the game is not too big for the guy and he comes in and doesn't hesitate. He's extremely tough."

Beathard entered with the 49ers trailing 14-0 in the second quarter. Late in the first half, he completed three straight passes in the two-minute drill and the 49ers eventually scored on the final play of the half to pull within 17-7.

In the second half, the 49ers scored 10 straight third-quarter points to tie it. With his team trailing 26-17 late, Beathard threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Aldrick Robinson with 1:58 left.

After Washington punted, the 49ers drove to the Redskins' 40 before an offensive pass interference penalty on wide receiver Pierre Garcon pushed them back to midfield and out of field-goal range.

"Obviously I don't agree with it, but that's part of the game," Beathard said. "You can't put it in the refs' hands. You've got to go win it as an offense, as a defense, as a team."

Beathard, drafted in the third round out of the University of Iowa, completed his first NFL pass attempt for 13 yards and went on to finish 19-of-36 for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

"He came in there and gave us a little bit of a spark, gave us a few off-schedule plays which was nice, and the main thing is we'll watch the film," Shanahan said.

Hoyer passed for over 300 yards in last week's loss at Indianapolis, but was 4 of 11 for 34 yards and was sacked once in San Francisco's first four drives Sunday.

"I don't think we helped Brian. I thought there were a lot of drops early," Shanahan said. "C.J.'s had a good week of practice. He's put two good weeks together. I had a feeling going in that if it went like that, I had to make the move to give us a chance to win."

Hoyer, 32 years old and playing for his sixth team, is once again a backup.

"I've been in this situation before and C.J. is a great kid, so I'll be there every day trying to help him as much as I can," Hoyer said.

Beathard's coming out party took place against a team for whom his grandfather, Bobby, served as general manager in the 1980s. During his tenure the Redskins won two Super Bowls and three NFC championships. He will be considered for the pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor the day before Super Bowl LII.

"I think it's really cool. During warmups you look up and you see your grandpa's name around the stadium," Beathard said. "He's a tremendous person. I've learned so much from him. Just trying to be like him every chance I can."