The 49ers announced on Wednesday afternoon that they signed John Skelton to a one-year contract. Jim Harbaugh emphasized the importance of experience for the backup quarterback.
"[We] felt like it's what we needed to do [in having two veteran quarterbacks]," Harbaugh said. "[He has] good stature in the pocket and is an experienced guy. [He has] played and won games, been in those battles. He had an excellent workout."
Skelton, 25, takes the roster spot of B.J. Daniels, the 49ers seventh-round draft pick who was released yesterday. He worked out with the 49ers a month ago and spent this past training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals. Skelton said he also tried out for the Tennessee Titans on Tuesday.
Harbaugh said he is optimistic that B.J. Daniels could return to the team. He is hoping that he can be a quarterback in the NFL soon.
Skelton spent the last three years as the backup and later starting quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. He played in 20 games with Arizona and came off the bench to defeat the 49ers in a 21-19 Cardinals victory.
A fifth round pick in 2010, Skelton has a 8-9 record as the starting quarterback. In three seasons with Arizona, he has 3,707 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 25 interceptions. In contrast, current 49ers backup quarterback Colt McCoy has a 6-15 record when he was a starting QB for the Cleveland Browns.
