In 2016, the 49ers passing offense was barely airborne.
Plagued by inconsistent quarterback play, a lack of bonafide wide receivers and shaky protection, the Niners ranked dead last in the NFL, throwing for just 2,911 yards, a pitiful 182 yards per game.
On Sunday night, however, the 49ers gave their fans a preview of what may be a much better passing attack.
San Francisco, in a completely new scheme under head coach Kyle Shanahan, threw for 340 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-31 loss to the Vikings in Minnesota. The Vikings pulled out a victory on the game's final play, scoring on a 1-yard plunge for a two-point conversion after 49ers cornerback Keith Reaser was called for pass interference in the end zone.
Fortunately, wins and losses don't matter in the exhibition season. What does matter is how the 49ers offense appears to be growing under Shanahan.
It wasn’t just the yards, but the way the 49ers threw the ball that looked so different from 2016. Starting quarterback Brian Hoyer was 12-of-17 for 176 yards and two scores – with no interceptions – connecting with Marquis Goodwin on a 46-yard TD and with running back Carlos Hyde on a 24-yard score. Rookie QB C.J. Beathard followed with a 7-for-13 night for 159 yards and a TD, with the bulk of the yards coming on an 87-yard pass to Raheem Mostert.
Hoyer looked especially sharp, distributing the football on target all over the field on a variety of throws. He completed his first nine passes before he finally overthrew Jeremy Kerley on a route in the middle of the field. The TD pass to Hyde was zipped through coverage. His scoring toss to Goodwin came when Goodwin was able to work himself wide open in the Minnesota secondary.
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The 49ers showed, too, that their receiving corps should be much stronger in 2017. Veteran wideout Pierre Garcon Sunday night had six catches for 64 yards, while rookie Trent Taylor had three for 36, Mostert two for 104 and newcomer Goodwin the one for 46 and the TD. Seven other 49ers caught passes.
The night began with 49ers starting strong safety Eric Reid kneeling for the national anthem, the first San Francisco player to do so this preseason. Reid last year had knelt with quarterback Colin Kaepernick in at attempt to draw attention to what they say is a lack of social justice for the treatment of African-Americans. Several other NFL players this summer have followed Kaepernick’s example by kneeling for the national anthem before games.
The 49ers have one exhibition game remaining, Thursday night vs. the visiting Los Angeles Chargers. San Francisco will open the regular season Sept. 10 against the Carolina Panthers.
