SANTA CLARA — The results on the field say Nick Mullens is a better quarterback than C.J. Beathard. But head coach Kyle Shanahan says they’re “dead even.”
Mullens and Beathard each have started five games in 2018. Mullens’ completion percentage is 63.8; Beathard’s is 60.4. Mullens’ quarterback rating is 93.5; Beathard’s is 81.8. Mullens has committed six turnovers; Beathard has committed 10. Mullens has taken 10 sacks; Beathard has taken 18. Mullens has won two games; Beathard has won zero.
And yet, Shanahan won’t give Mullens the edge over Beathard. Those two must compete to be the backup quarterback during next year’s training camp.