The San Francisco 49ers have had a knack for doing something lately that many teams around the NFL are likely very envious of: developing quarterbacks who were labeled as busts or castoffs.

Over the years, many quarterbacks have come through the 49ers organization and turned into solid starters afterward. Most recently, Mac Jones and Sam Darnold have either shown progress in San Francisco or on their new team after a stint with Kyle Shanahan.

This offseason, the 49ers might trade Jones. If they do, they’ll need a new project QB. Unfortunately, as Vic Tafur of The Athletic notes, it’s slim pickings for a new project quarterback among the busts and veteran castoffs.

49ers have slim pickings at project QB for Kyle Shanahan

“There is also the matter of who Kyle Shanahan’s next project will be, as young first-round busts and veteran castoffs will all want to be the next Sam Darnold or (Mac) Jones,” Tafur writes. “There’s Anthony Richardson, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields… yeah, it’s not a great list.”

Shanahan has been able to work his magic with quarterbacks before, with Darnold being one of the more impressive turnaround stories in recent quarterback history.

This offseason, the 49ers could turn to a few different backup options. But, as Tafur points out, Anthony Richardson, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields might be the best options.

Fields is coming off a rough season for the New York Jets, and there’s not much optimism for his game. Wilson was a bust with the Jets, and after a few years with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins, he’s back on the open market.

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There’s not much promise with either quarterback, as they both struggled a lot during their starts the last few years.

Richardson is one of the more intriguing options, as he’s got incredible potential, but has dealt with injuries and accuracy issues the last couple of years with the Indianapolis Colts.

He’s by far the highest upside quarterback the 49ers could go after this offseason, but they would need to trade for him with Richardson under contract for one more year on his rookie deal.

If the 49ers do trade away Jones this offseason, they will need to acquire a new project quarterback this offseason. But there’s slim pickings for such project QBs this offseason. It’s going to be a challenge, but one that Shanahan’s likely up to the task for.

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