Will the 49ers Sign Matt Ryan?

Ryan currently is under contract with the Colts, but they almost certainly will release him in a few weeks.

We're pretty certain the 49ers will sign a veteran quarterback in a few weeks, and we think we know which type of veteran quarterback they'll want:

Someone who has been a starting quarterback in the past, but now is nothing more than a backup who would sign a cheap, one-year deal like Jimmy Garoppolo did last year when he was coming off shoulder surgery. Someone such as Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston or Mitchell Trubisky if they get released as expected.

Those three quarterbacks are intriguing, because they're good athletes who still are in their 20s. Meaning they might still have unrealized potential the 49ers could untap.

But will Kyle Shanahan really take a flyer on a quarterback he doesn't know? Is that his style? Or is he more likely to sign someone who fits his system and has flourished in it? Someone such as Matt Ryan?

I'm thinking Shanahan will want Ryan.

Ryan currently is under contract with the Colts, but they almost certainly will release him in a few weeks, because doing so will save them more than $17 million in salary cap space. And if/when the Colts release him, Ryan will have to decide where he wants to spend the final season of his career, if he doesn't retire.

No team will offer him a starting job at this point in his career. But the 49ers could offer him a one-year deal with incentives if he ends up playing. They also could offer him an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.

Ryan hasn't played well the past two seasons, but he also hasn't played for teams anywhere near as good as the 49ers. Perhaps they could rejuvenate his career for one year.

I'm not saying the 49ers should sign Ryan, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. Remember, Kyle Shanahan's father, Mike Shanahan, won his two Super Bowls with John Elway when he was 37 and 38. Matt Ryan will be 38 next season. Perhaps Kyle thinks Ryan is his Elway.