The San Francisco 49ers’ decision to pass on Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL draft may have indirectly paved the way for the acquisition of quarterback Brock Purdy in 2022, according to insights shared by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

During that draft, the 49ers held the second overall pick, a position that could have seen them secure star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, as Schefter recounts, the 49ers made a curious decision not to invest significant efforts in evaluating Mahomes during the pre-draft process.

The reason behind this oversight, according to Schefter, was the 49ers’ conviction that Kirk Cousins would be leaving the Washington Football Team in the subsequent offseason. The organization believed Cousins would naturally choose to join the 49ers, rendering the need for in-depth quarterback analysis unnecessary.

Adam Schefter tells the wild story of how Brock Purdy ended up on the #49ers

(h/t @PardonMyTake)pic.twitter.com/uxuelYDM9u

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 1, 2024

The plot thickens when, as the offseason approaches, New England comes into play. The Patriots contacted San Francisco, expressing the need to part ways with Jimmy Garoppolo and proposing a trade for a second-round pick.

The 49ers, presented with this unexpected opportunity, agreed to the deal, disrupting the anticipated arrival of Kirk Cousins.

Returning to the 2017 draft, Schefter revealed that the 49ers’ comprehensive evaluation of quarterbacks was minimal, except for one unexpected outcome – they ended up trading up in the third round to select CJ Beathard.

One Overlooked Factor in the 49ers’ Defensive Coordinator Search

There is an overlooked factor that comes into play for why the 49ers are taking so long in hiring a new defensive coordinator. Here is what it is.

It has been 16 days since the San Francisco 49ers began searching for a new defensive coordinator.

Clearly, the 49ers are in no rush to hire a coach yet, and for good reason. No other team has a vacancy at defensive coordinator, so the 49ers have their pick of the litter. It is better for them to take their time reaching a decision on a coach than to rush so quickly. The 49ers are wise for taking advantage of this.

However, there is one overlooked factor in the 49ers’ defensive coordinator search. It is certainly playing a part as to why they are taking so long in hiring somebody. That factor is continuity. Whoever the 49ers end up hiring for defensive coordinator, they are surely expecting that person to stay on for at least two-to-three seasons.

The last thing the 49ers want to do is hire someone who, despite being a great fit, ends up leaving after one season. Should that occur, the 49ers will be facing three consecutive years searching for a new defensive coordinator. That isn’t something that Kyle Shanahan wants to deal with again. I believe that is why hiring some of the big names, if they were even interested, like Bill Belichick and Mike Vrabel aren’t ideal.

Sure, they both would make for excellent coordinators, but they aren’t going to stick around for longer than a season. The 49ers are looking for some continuity and rightfully so. Playing musical chairs at defensive coordinator will become frustrating and possibly cause some regression on that side of the ball. It is better for the 49ers to pursue someone that they are confident will be on the team for the next few years.

Looking at the candidates that they have interviewed, it is likely that each of them would stay on for at least a couple of seasons. I sincerely doubt that Brandon Staley, Nick Sorensen, Daniel Bullocks, or David Merritt would leave after a year. However, determining that isn’t so easy, which I am sure is part of what is causing the 49ers to be slow in their search. They probably also seriously considered a coach who could be “one and done” as well.

This is why it is so important for them to take their time. Whatever is to the benefit of the team, and taking it slow to find a coach who will remain as defensive coordinator beyond next season is the right path.