SANTA CLARA — Nick Mullens will finish out the season as the 49ers starting quarterback, further convincing Kyle Shanahan of that in Sunday’s overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks, a game the coach thought was Mullens’ masterpiece through six starts.
The 49ers (4-10) close with their home finale Sunday against the Chicago Bears before a Dec. 30 visit to the NFC West-winning Los Angeles Rams.
Mullens is 3-3 since replacing C.J. Beathard, who was 0-5 after Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending knee injury. Mullens is improving so well that Shanahan has no desire to pull him for the sake of another glimpse at Beathard before their offseason competition.