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5 Players the San Francisco 49ers May Cut in 2016

By Peter Panacy

May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) during organized team activities at the SAP Performance Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick

Statistics

The hiring of head coach Chip Kelly may be the last saving grace embattled quarterback Colin Kaepernick may have in San Francisco. And, in all possibility, the 49ers may not want to part ways with him this offseason despite a flurry of rumors to the contrary.

But this doesn’t rule out the likelihood of this happening altogether.

Kelly’s offensive schemes revolve not just around a mobile-threat quarterback, but also the ability to accurately deliver the ball on short, well-timed precision passes. That isn’t a Kaepernick strength.

Add on top of that the feasibility of NFL defenses catching up to Kap’s physical abilities, and one has to question whether or not the quarterback has reached his ceiling after what was a forgettable and ugly 2015 campaign that led to him being benched in Week 9.

Contractually, the 49ers have it easy getting out from Kaepernick’s escalator-laden contract.

As noted in the above chart, the 2016 cap hit isn’t as bad as what 2017 and beyond may be. But a lot of this perceived notion will be whether or not Kaepernick fits into the 49ers’ offensive plans.

There’s another factor as well. Fellow QB Blaine Gabbert may be an even better option in Kelly’s system. He’s more accurate and also possesses the mobility factor Kelly prefers.

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And if San Francisco takes a quarterback early on in the 2016 NFL draft, the writing will be on the wall.

Kaepernick still could get one last shot with the 49ers, and it wouldn’t be that surprising if he stayed.

Still, he remains on the watch list.

Next: 5 Positions the 49ers Must Address in Free Agency

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap.