Tanner Thompson

Tanner followed his father into professional football, playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and becoming a Hall of Fame kick and punt returner.

He spent his entire 26-season NFL career with San Francisco, from 2019 through 2044. His 243–179 regular-season starting record excludes Jimmy Garoppolo’s 11–7 record in 2019 and 2020. His revised postseason record is not yet documented.

From 2019 through 2027, Tanner played quarterback while returning kickoffs and punts. He began as a gifted athlete more comfortable using his legs than his arm. His passing developed while he became one of the NFL’s great return specialists. Garoppolo’s late-season ACL injury made Tanner the starter for the end of 2019 and the playoffs. After three games in 2020, Garoppolo was traded to Chicago; Tanner remained with San Francisco.

In 2028, Tanner stopped returning kicks and punts to concentrate entirely on quarterback. He remained dangerous as a runner and passer through this phase, earning Second-Team All-Pro quarterback honors in 2030 and 2033 as his rushing production gradually declined.

From 2037 through 2044, Tanner relied increasingly on experience and football intelligence. His statistics declined from his athletic peak, but he remained capable of winning important games. His quarterback legacy was Hall of Very Good, with strong individual seasons and two Second-Team All-Pro selections. His return-specialist legacy was Hall of Fame. He won no NFL MVP awards.

Buffalo defeated San Francisco in Super Bowl LVI. Tanner returned to the championship game in 2024, losing LIX to Cincinnati 33–30 in overtime. He won his first championship against Las Vegas in LX after the 2025 season. Jacksonville defeated San Francisco 23–20 in LXV after the 2030 season. His second championship came against Indianapolis in LXVII after 2032; he won his third championship and Super Bowl MVP against Indianapolis, 27–22 in LXIX after 2034; he lost LXXIV to Drew Walls’s Chargers after 2039 and LXXV to Patrick Hall Jr.’s Raiders after 2040, 36–20.

In his final season, Tanner led San Francisco to a 24–10 victory over Miami in Super Bowl LXXIX. It was his fourth Super Bowl championship. He retired following the 2044 season. The 49ers retired his #13; he is the franchise’s passing leader with 81,715 yards.