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San Francisco 49ers: What to Expect from Chip Kelly’s Offense in 2016

By Peter Panacy

Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) is sacked by Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) is sacked by Denver Broncos strong safety David Bruton (30) during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 19-12. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

The Offense Will be Better, but not Great

Assuming head coach Chip Kelly will be the “magic elixir” that suddenly cures the 49ers of all their offensive woes is shortsighted at best.

Stop and consider, for a moment, who San Francisco’s best offensive playmakers are entering 2016. The 49ers have injured running back Carlos Hyde, an uncertain quarterbacking situation, an aging and free-agent-to-be wide receiver Anquan Boldin and an unproven tight end talent in Blake Bell.

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) carries the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Throw fellow wideout Torrey Smith into that mix, and the 49ers don’t exactly have a lot of thumping power on the offensive side of the ball.

And we haven’t even touched on San Francisco’s suspect offensive line.

Good head coaches get the most out of the players on their roster. And Kelly’s responsibility will be no different. Yet it’s safe to say the 49ers will be in need for some upgrades and reinforcements at nearly every offensive position.

This is a player’s league, after all, and San Francisco won’t be jumping from No. 32 to the top five in offensive rankings in one offseason.

This progression will take time. If the 49ers add a couple of playmakers to this mix this offseason — either via free agency or the draft — one should expect some notable improvement.

But a sudden burst to the top isn’t going to happen in Year 1 of Kelly’s reign.

Next: Evaluating Chip Kelly's First Year in the NFL