Can the 49ers actually win with ANYONE at QB? A simulation investigation

The San Francisco 49ers have some soul looking to do at quarterback. They’ve Trey Lance, a participant who underwhelmed, however they invested immense quantities of draft capital into. Then there’s Brock Purdy, the Mr. Irrelevant phenom who turned top-of-the-line tales of the 2022 season. Lastly we have now Jimmy Garoppolo, the dependable, oft-criticized hand who may give this crew the very best probability to win proper now.

Lance and Purdy are on low cost rookie offers. Jimmy G will value significantly extra as a free agent, however has his justifiable share of supporters together with Niners nice Joe Montana. This complete dialogue about what the crew has completed at QB has folks questioning: Can anybody win at QB with this crew?

San Francisco boasts one of many NFL’s greatest defenses. It’s expert at each degree with no discernible weak spot. In the meantime on offense life is made significantly simpler because of Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. It’s sufficient to make folks surprise if the system is so good within the Bay Space that the QB himself doesn’t actually matter.

Let’s put that to the check with the very best instruments out there to us: Madden 23. What occurs to the 49ers once we sim a whole season, altering solely the QB? Is it true that this massive choice actually isn’t so tough when anybody will be efficient on the 49ers?

Meet Zach Wilson, beginning quarterback of the 49ers

I’m not going to lie, this took a silly quantity of labor to truly make occur. The Jets have been extraordinarily reluctant to just accept trades for Zach Wilson. Lastly I managed to persuade them by buying and selling Jimmy G and two draft picks to get Wilson’s providers.

Now the large query [hits simulate season]

THE 49ERS CAN WIN WITH ZACH WILSON!

The crew went 11-6, received the NFC West, made it to the playoffs earlier than dropping to the Giants within the divisional spherical. As for Wilson, he completely lit the NFL on fireplace whereas working within the 49ers offense.

And now, your new quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers… Baker Mayfield!

I don’t know if that is turning the tough slider up or down — however we have now a benchmark. Wilson had the 49ers win the division at 11-6 and go to the playoffs. Mayfield is a statistically superior quarterback in Madden, so naturally the crew ought to do higher, proper?

[hits simulate]

THE 49ERS CAN WIN WITH BAKER MAYFIELD!

It’s not as spectacular as a Wilson-led Niners crew, however they nonetheless win the NFC West.

The crew goes on to lose to the Packers within the Divisional Playoff spherical, however now we’re two-for-two on “anybody can win with the 49ers.” Nevertheless, the most important check is but to come back as a result of it’s time to satisfy …

Nathan Peterman, beginning quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers

It’s now time for the most important check of the “49ers can win with any QB” concept. Nathan Peterman is certainly one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL, and his 49 general ranking makes him one of many worst in Madden 23 as nicely. There may be completely no means this crew can go to the playoffs once more, proper?

[presses button]

THE 49ERS CAN WIN WITH NATHAN PETERMAN!

Peterman did higher on the Niners than Baker Mayfield did — and never solely that, however he set the league on fireplace.

This time the crew misplaced once more within the Divisional Playoff spherical, this time to the Washington Commanders. It occurs, particularly whenever you’re led by Nathan Peterman.

At this level I began to lose hope. Is there any method to make the 49ers lose? A determined state of affairs causes a rash transfer…

Welcome 49ers beginning quarterback, kicker, 39-year-old Robbie Gould

Sure, that is attainable. As a quarterback ranking Gould is a 12. Sure, TWELVE. Nathan Peterman is 4 occasions the QB that Robbie Gould is. It’s time to demolish the 49ers as soon as and for all.

[SLAMS SIMULATE BUTTON]

It broke.

Okay, so it didn’t break precisely — however I completely couldn’t pressure the 49ers to start out Robbie Gould at quarterback for 17 video games. I attempted actually the whole lot. I made it inconceivable for the CPU to signal anybody from free company. I eliminated roster minimums at every place. I turned off auto-filling rosters and I eliminated all accidents. I ensured there was NO probability the crew might ever discover one other QB, and each single time I simmed a season with Robbie Gould at quarterback the sport would reject my human override, signal Brock Purdy, and end out the yr.

We discovered Madden’s breaking level, and it was beginning quarterback Robbie Gould.

So, what did we study from all this?

Regardless of all of the angst about who will begin for the 49ers in 2023 we’ve seen that the crew can hold profitable with completely anybody. So, my suggestion for Niners followers who’re busy arguing over Lance vs. Purdy vs. Garoppolo to know that actually anybody can convey this crew success.

Until in fact they ask for Robbie Gould to play quarterback, then the stadium may burst into flames.