San Francisco 49ers QBs: A History of the Good, Bad, Ugly, and Jim Druckenmiller

The San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks have run the gamut from all-time greats to all-time disasters.

While many would count the 49ers lucky to have been led by such immortals as Joe Montana and Steve Young, history reveals that the franchise hasn’t always been so lucky – Jim Druckenmiller, anyone?

For every Hall of Famer there is at least one “Hall of Shamer.” Considering the 49ers offensive woes of late, it would only be prudent to examine the franchise’s past glories and failures at the QB position, with an eye on the future.

The Ugly: Ken Dorsey

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Ken Dorsey #7 of the San Francisco 49ers calls play in the game against the Tennessee Titans during week 12 of the 2005-2006 NFL season at the Coliseum in Nashville, Tennessee on November 27, 2005. The Titans wo

After such a sterling college career at the University of Miami, Dorsey should have made noise in the NFL, right?

Wrong!

Drafter as the 241^st pick in the 2003 Draft, Dorsey started sparingly during his tenure with the Red and Gold. In his two years with the Niners, Dorsey started 12 games, completing only 171 passes for 1,712 yards, eight TDs, and 11 INTs. Hardly the number we were expecting from a guy who won 38 games in college.

The Ugliest: Jim Druckenmiller

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23 Aug 1998: Quarterback John Druckenmiller #14 of the San Francisco 49ers in action during the pre-season game against the Miami Dolphins at the 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The Dolphins defeated the 49ers 21-20.

Though Drunkenmiller only started one game for the Niners, he was drafted 26^th overall in 1997 by legend Bill Walsh as the next great 49er QB. Playing in six games for the Red and Gold, Druckenmiller completed an embarrassing 21 passes for 239 yards, one TD, and four INTs.

The Bad: Alex Smith

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The jury is still largely out on Smith, but suffice it to say he’s no Jeff Garcia.

Perhaps it’s unrealistic to live up to the “No. 1 overall” label and expectations that come with it, but Smith has been a disappointment to date. Injured for the entire 2008 season, Smith has only managed to throw for 7,029 yards, 37 TDs, and 43 INTs in his four full seasons.

With weapons like Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis at his disposal, more should be expected from the former #1 draft choice.

Also Bad: Shaun Hill

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 11: Shaun Hill #13 of the San Francisco 49ers tries to run away from Jamaal Anderson #98 of the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park on October 11, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

What on Earth was the 49er front office thinking when it signed this guy?

Hill went undrafted out of Maryland and was fortunate enough to have the 49ers starting job handed to him. You know a guy is an embarrassment when arguably one of his best games, a 2008 away game against Minnesota, had the following stat line: 15 for 25, 195 yards passing, 2 TDs, 1 INT, and the Niners lost.

The Good: Y.A. Tittle

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 15: 49ers Hall of Famer, Y.A. Tittle, attends a game between the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on November 15, 1992 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 21-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty

Often forgotten about in discussions of 49er greats, Tittle was a Pro Bowler four times while with the Red and Gold and was even named NFL MVP after his ’57 campaign. Though his greatest success came after his trade to the NY Giants, Tittle still stands as one of the Niners better QBs, becoming the first QB to throw for 30-touchdowns in consecutive seasons.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971.

Also Good: Jeff Garcia

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #5 of the San Francisco 49ers scambles against Chad Brown #94 of the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game on December 27, 2003 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/

Signed as a backup for Steve Young in 1999, Garcia became a surprise hit with the 49ers after a record-setting 2000 campaign in which he threw for a 4,278 passing yards, 31 TDs, and only 10 INTs.

While Garcia’s time in the sun with the 49ers was short lived, he led the Red and Gold to their last NFC West Division title in 2002 and was responsible for the 49ers' stunning comeback victory over the New York Giants in the 2002 playoffs.  Another 49er QB to pass for over 30 TDs in consecutive years, Garcia, unfortunately, may best be remembered for his feud with Terrell Owens.

The Great: John Brodie

A starter for most of his 13 seasons with the Niners, Brodie was a two-time Pro Bowler, and NFL MVP in 1970. When he retired from pro football in 1973, he ranked third in passing yards behind legends Johnny Unitas and Fran Tarkington.

Often overlooked because he never brought home a Super Bowl title, Brodie—a career 49er—had his No. 12 retired by the organization after his playing days were over.

Even Greater: Steve Young

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19 Sep 1999: Steve Young #8 of the San Francisco 49ers with the ball during the game against the New Orleans Saints at 3 Com Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Saints 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport

Always stuck in the shadow of our No. 1 49er QB, Young made his mark through hard work and determination.

Not a great passer when he began at BYU, Young willed himself to success, becoming the NFL’s highest rated passer ever. The winner of six passing titles, Young threw for over 33,000 yards with an NFL-record career passer rating of 96.8.

And did I mention that he could run?

Young finished his career with 4,239 rushing yards and 43 rushing TDs, the most ever by a QB. While he might not have won as many big games as his predecessor, Young still managed to win Super Bowl XXIX, earning MVP honors as well. A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL MVP, Young left his mark on the organization, becoming the first left-handed QB inducted in the NFL Hall of Fame. 

The Greatest: Joe Montana

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13 JAN 1991: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS QUARTERBACK JOE MONTANA CELEBRATES DURING THE 49ERS 28-10 WIN OVER THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT CANDLESTICK PARK IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

The greatest 49er QB ever, no question about it.

“Comeback Joe” was a winner that would never go down without a fight. Over the course of his 13 year career with the Red and Gold, Joe was an eight-time Pro Bowler, four-time Super Bowl Champion, three-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time NFL MVP, and was named to the NFL’s 75^th Anniversary Team. Not to mention that he managed to throw for over 40,000 yards with a career QB rating of 92.3.

Joe was responsible for some of the greatest 49er moments ever caught on tape and is forever beloved in the City by the Bay.