All the Pro Bowl QBs 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan has Passed on

It's hard to believe the 49ers haven't had a Pro Bowl quarterback since Jeff Garcia in 2002.

These are the 49ers we're talking about -- the team of Joe Montana and Steve Young. If any team should understand the importance of having a top-level quarterback, it's them.

And it's not like they've neglected the position. They spent the No. 1 pick on Alex Smith, then spent three first-round picks on Trey Lance, plus they gave $100-million contracts to Jimmy Garoppolo and Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers have tried extremely hard to find their franchise quarterback. They just haven't found one who could play well enough or stay healthy long enough to go to a Pro Bowl or win a Super Bowl.

And here's the frustrating part: Each year since Kyle Shanahan became the head coach in 2017, the 49ers have passed on a Pro Bowl quarterback they could have gotten had they been shrewd and seized the moment. Here are each of those quarterbacks.

2017

The 49ers could have drafted Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson, but instead drafted Solomon Thomas. Watson has gone to three Pro Bowls, while Mahomes has gone to five Pro Bowls, won two MVPs, two Super Bowls and two Super Bowl MVPs.

2018

The 49ers could have drafted Lamar Jackson, but instead drafted Mike McGlinchey. Lamar Jackson has gone to two Pro Bowls and won one MVP.

2019

The 49ers could have signed Geno Smith for less than $900,000 to back up Jimmy Garoppolo, who was coming off a torn ACL. The 49ers knew Garoppolo's durability was questionable and that they needed a better backup quarterback in case he went down again. Why not sign one who's an athlete with legitimate arm talent such as Smith? Instead, the 49ers kept Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard, while Smith signed with the Seahawks and went to the Pro Bowl this season.

2020

The 49ers could have signed Tom Brady, but instead decided to stick with Garoppolo. That year, Brady went to the Pro Bowl and won the Super Bowl with the Buccaneers. The 49ers also could have drafted Jalen Hurts, who was in the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl this season. Instead, the 49ers drafted Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk. To be fair, Aiyuk is a good player, but he's not a Pro Bowler or a quarterback. In addition, the 49ers had another chance to sign Geno Smith as their backup, but didn't.

2021

The 49ers could have traded for Matthew Stafford, but the Rams beat them to the punch. Technically, Stafford hasn't gone to the Pro Bowl with the Rams, but he won the Super Bowl in his first season as their starter. In addition, the 49ers had their third opportunity to sign Geno Smith as their backup, but didn't.

2022

The 49ers had a fourth chance to sign Geno Smith, but instead re-signed Garoppolo and gave him $6.5 million guaranteed just so he could get injured yet again. Meanwhile, Smith re-signed with the Seahawks for just $500,000 guaranteed, led their rebuilding roster to the playoffs and never missed a game.

If the 49ers had scooped up any of those quarterbacks, it's quite possible they would have won another Lombardi Trophy by now. But they didn't, and now the 49ers are left with two young quarterbacks with a combined 12 career starts who are both coming off serious injuries. It's possible neither one ever will go to a Super Bowl. They're giant mysteries.

The 49ers' current Super Bowl window will close in a couple years -- Trent Willliams, Arik Armstead and George Kittle all are getting older. Should the 49ers put their faith in their two young quarterbacks, or go sign a Pro Bowler such as Derek Carr? He has gone to four Pro Bowls, including one this season. And while he's not a great quarterback, he's better than Garoppolo and never has played with a top-10 defense. The 49ers might be able to win a Super Bowl with him this year.

Or the 49ers could sign Daniel Jones, who hasn't been to a Pro Bowl yet, but also is better than Garoppolo and younger than Carr.

Or the 49ers could sign Geno Smith away from the Seahawks.

The 49ers have options. For the first time in 21 years, maybe they'll choose the right one.