In his first two games, San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Brian Hoyer has been intercepted by two different middle linebackers. We break down both plays, and analyze the mistakes that led to the two costly turnovers.

If you watched the San Francisco 49ers’ first two games of the 2017 NFL season, you likely noticed quarterback Brian Hoyer’s affinity for passing to wide receiver Pierre Garcon and running back Carlos Hyde.

And the opposing team’s middle linebacker.

Hoyer has thrown two interceptions in the Niners’ first two games — both on slant patterns, both into the hands of the opposing middle linebacker and both obvious interceptions from the moment Hoyer released the ball.

It isn’t surprising for Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly to step in front of a Hoyer pass — Kuechly is known for his pass-coverage skills, as he intercepted 15 passes in his first five years in the league, including three timely picks in the playoffs.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner is a less-likely recipient of an opposing quarterback’s pass attempt — before Sunday’s game, he recorded just one interception in his past four seasons.

Hoyer’s untimely interceptions — and his failure to lead the 49ers into the end zone in their first two games for the first time in franchise history — have led to calls for backup QB C.J. Beathard. Others claim it’s a matter of when — and not if — 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will make a necessary quarterback change.

These immediate overreactions are expected, but prematurely thrusting a raw Beathard into a starting role would likely stunt his development in the long-term, and probably wouldn’t lead to more wins in the short term, which Niner Noise’s Peter Panacy pointed out in a recent article.

Still, Hoyer’s recent interception problem is cause for concern. Let’s provide some context by breaking down both of Hoyer’s early-season turnovers.