clarinews@clarinet.com (02/05/90)
SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) -- The agent for San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Steve Young wants to meet with the Super Bowl champions' starting quarterback Joe Montana and his agent to help determine his client's future, the San Francisco Examiner said Sunday. Agent Leigh Steinberg told the Examiner that he and Young hope to meet with Montana and his agent, Bob Woolf, to help determine Young's next step. Young, 28, has been backup to Montana for three years. Last year, he completed 64 of 92 passes for 1,001 yards and 8 touchdowns despite limited duty. He performed well in several starts in 1987 and 1988 when Montana was injured. ``The premise has changed dramatically here since 1987,'' Steinberg said. ``At that time, doctors were questioning if Joe should leave football after his back surgery in 1986. ``Obviously, that perspective has all changed. Joe is established as the best ever to play his position.'' He said no date for the has been set for the meeting, in which they hope to learn Montana's retirement plans. ``Generally, if Joe is thinking about retiring in the next year or two then it gives Steve an opportunity, then at age 30, to have maybe six or seven years starting for the best team in football,'' Steinberg said. ``But if it keeps going on behond that, then we will have to consider discussing a trade.'' Montana, 33, has said he plans at least to play out his contract, which runs through 1992. Young is signed for $1.1 million for next season. Young, who quarterbacked Brigham Young University, was runnerup in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1983 and setting an NCCA completition percentage record of .713. He played in the United States Football League in 1984 and part of 1985 before joining the NFL Tampa Bay Bucs. The 49ers aquired him from Tampa Bay four days before the 1987 draft for two draft choices. Steinberg said he has not talked with 49ers' officials because he wanted to hear what Montana has to say.