7 Greatest San Francisco 49ers players of the 21st century
By Adam Patrick
7. Jeff Garcia – QB
After an impressive career in the Canadian Football League, Jeff Garcia was signed by the 49ers in 1999 to be the team’s backup quarterback behind Steve Young. But before Garcia could get comfortable as San Francisco’s No. 2 passer in his first season with the team, he was forced to start 10 games after Young was lost for the year with a concussion.
Young’s history of concussions ultimately forced him to retire in 2000 and Garcia emerged as the 49ers new starting quarterback.
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Despite San Francisco only winning six games during his first season as the starter, the former CFL quarterback was still able to put up some very impressive numbers. Garcia finished the year with 4,278 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, while also running for 414 yards and four more scores.
His performance in 2000 resulted in his first of three straight trips to the Pro Bowl. Garcia’s three Pro Bowl selections are the most of any quarterback to suit up for the 49ers during the 21st century.
He followed up his first season as a starter by helping lead San Francisco to a 12-4 record in 2001. During this campaign, he threw for 3,538 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to go along five more trips to the end zone on the ground.
With his numbers in 2001, Garcia became the only 49ers quarterback to throw at least 30 touchdowns in two straight seasons. Not even Young or Joe Montana were able to accomplish this feat.
Garcia ended up playing in San Francisco for a total of five years before the team eventually decided to release him in 2004.