SANTA CLARA — There never was any quarterback controversy in the 49ers' locker room. The team supports both C.J. Beathard and Nick Mullens, no matter who starts.
Following the team’s first practice after four days off, Mullens announced he was named the starter by coach Kyle Shanahan. No one in the 49ers' locker room was fazed.
One of the things that general manager John Lynch and his staff have done is build a solid locker room. There never is any infighting or finger-pointing. This was very evident in the 49ers' 0-9 start to the 2017 season, as well as during their six-game skid this season.
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SIGN UP HERE Defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon was very frank when asked if there was any controversy.
“It’s hilarious,” Witherspoon said. “We don’t do controversy, if people haven’t noticed. We believe in whoever is up, and we believe in whoever is behind them. We just all have faith in each other. That’s how we approach the game.
“It’s a testament to John Lynch and Kyle, and the type of people they bring in. They are not just good athletes but quality people. When you’re honest with yourself and you’re truthful, when you respect the man next to you, that’s the kind of culture that you cultivate because you have quality men in your locker room.”
[RELATED: Mullens' impatience led to laughs]
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Running back Matt Breida believes the notion of a controversy is far fetched because the locker room is so close.
“We’re not selfish," Breida said. "Whoever is playing, we are going to support. At the end of the day, we just want to win.”
Rookie offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is protecting his third different quarterback in nine weeks, and he explains it’s the same no matter who is behind him.
“I don’t think it’s a controversy whatsoever,” McGlinchey said. “Our guys understand that the guy who provides the best position for our offense is going to be in the game. We don’t have any hard feelings or anything like that. It’s a team-family here, and we are going to make it happen either way.”
McGlinchey also believes it’s because of how Lynch and Shanahan “built” the locker room.
“That’s something that Kyle and John have worked very hard for,” McGlinchey said, “and it’s something that they struggled with, I think, in previous regimes here with the Niners. I think they’ve done an awesome job with the people that are here from top to bottom.
“That’s why things like that, the guys they plug in and play, play hard, and everybody here is excited for them.”
Rookie wide receiver Dante Pettis now has worked with four different quarterbacks, counting third-stringer Tom Savage, and said he believes in his teammates for their abilities and the staff for their decisions.
“The coaches are going to do what’s best for the team,” Pettis said. “I don’t need to worry about that at all, especially in this locker room. Everybody really likes each other. Everybody trusts each other. We’ve all seen everybody make plays out there, so there’s no one that’s going to be upset with someone starting.
“It’s what I’ve seen here. People being happy for people making plays even if it’s in your position. I think that’s why this team is special.”