The 2018 season was a disappointment in a major way given Jimmy Garoppolo’s ACL injury. And yet, that disappointment came with an entirely unexpected silver lining. C.J. Beathard struggled in place of Jimmy G, and that coupled with a wrist injury resulted in the promotion of Nick Mullens to the starting QB role.
Kyle Shanahan is viewed as an offensive coaching savant, and the 49ers were facing the Oakland Raiders in Mullens debut, but expectations were still relatively low heading into Thursday Night Football.