Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Quarterback Options for Head Coach Chip Kelly in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
49ers Kaepernick
Oct 4, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts after being hit on a 49ers running play against the Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Packers defeated the 49ers 17-3. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Prior to the hiring of head coach Chip Kelly, the San Francisco 49ers were assumed to part ways with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, start fellow QB Blaine Gabbert in 2016 and draft a rookie signal-caller in the NFL draft. With Kelly aboard, what are the Niners’ options now?

The writing was on the wall for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick during the latter half of the 2015 season, and the Niners’ former superstar appeared all but destined for the scrap heap this offseason.

But San Francisco’s selection of Chip Kelly as head coach changes almost everything. It’s no longer a foregone conclusion the 49ers will part ways with Kaepernick, install former backup QB Blaine Gabbert as the No. 1 guy and draft his eventual replacement in the early rounds of the upcoming 2015 NFL draft.

The NFL, once again, lives up to its own expectations: nothing is guaranteed.

And so, the Niners are faced with yet another dilemma in a season likely filled with them. Chief among these will be determining what to do at the most crucial position in all of sports.

Will Kelly want to keep Kaepernick around for, at least, one more season? Or will the new head coach elect to move on from Kap and build around Gabbert’s second-half efforts while pursuing another signal-caller via the draft?

Granted, Kelly will not be controlling the 49ers roster any point soon. That job still falls upon the shoulders of general manager Trent Baalke.

So the incumbent scenario of Kaepernick leaving San Francisco is still in play.

But what are the options under center for the Niners in 2016? And how does each play to Kelly and the franchise’s benefit or concern?

Let’s take a look.

Next: Dylan Thompson