NFL Rumors: Matt Schaub could follow Kyle Shanahan to 49ers

Kyle Shanahan will take over as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers soon, and he may bring a familiar quarterback with him.

Win or lose on Sunday in Super Bowl 51, the Atlanta Falcons will lose offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to the head coaching job with the San Francisco 49ers. Finding a quarterback will be the No. 1 task for Shanahan and new general manager John Lynch, and the new head coach may have a veteran on his radar already.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Matt Schaub could follow Shanahan from Atlanta to San Francisco. Schaub has been Matt Ryan’s backup with the Falcons this season, but he is slated to become a free agent in March and may seek a starting opportunity elsewhere.

Shanahan and Schaub have worked together before this season, with Shanahan serving as quarterbacks coach (2007) and offensive coordinator (2008-2009) for the Houston Texans. In 2009, Schaub led the NFL in completions (396), attempts (583) and passing yards (4,770) running Shanahan’s offense.

The 49ers should have plenty of options under center this offseason, with Colin Kaepernick sure to opt out of his contract. Shanahan has already said he liked New England Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo during the 2014 pre-draft process and having the No. 2 overall pick this spring puts San Francisco in line to draft whoever they think is the top quarterback in this year’s draft class. If Kirk Cousins somehow hits the open market, he could appeal to the 49ers based on Shanahan’s time as Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator.

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Schaub has become a journeyman backup in recent years, suiting up for the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and the Falcons over the last three seasons. But as a proverbial “bridge” to a potential rookie quarterback for the 49ers, familiarity with Shanahan’s offense makes Schaub stand out as a great fit at a reasonable cost in free agency.