49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Downplays Team’s Interest in Baker Mayfield

The head coach addressed whether the quarterback could be a fit in San Francisco.

With Jimmy Garoppolo facing a season-ending foot injury, the 49ers' season got flipped upside down. For now, San Francisco has to rely on seventh-round pick Brock Purdy as the starter moving forward.

However, one surprising move on Monday gave the Niners a second potential option. The Panthers opted to release Baker Mayfield, allowing the quarterback to hit waivers for potential quarterback-needy teams.

San Francisco could try and bring Mayfield in, at least to add some talent to the quarterback room. But while the team may have liked Mayfield in the past, there is no guarantee that it chooses to acquire him.

“We’ll discuss it this afternoon,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Always been a fan of his, but I feel pretty good about our players and where we’re at right now.”

Kyle Shanahan on if 49ers interested in Baker Mayfield:
We look into everything. That surprised me right now. We’ll discuss it this afternoon. Always been a fan of his but I feel pretty good about our players and where we’re at right now.

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 5, 2022

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When Mayfield was in the 2018 draft and ended up going No. 1, San Francisco had a top 10 pick. However, the team did not need a quarterback since it had just traded for Garoppolo the previous year.

Purdy led the Niners to a win over Miami on Sunday, and it appears Shanahan would like to give him the opportunity to start moving forward. However, with Mayfield available, San Francisco could pivot in an attempt to make a Super Bowl run.