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San Francisco 49ers: Which Quarterback Should Start for Chip Kelly in 2016?

By Bryan Knowles

Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) warm up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) throws a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 22 to 17. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

6. A Veteran Free Agent

Adding a journeyman veteran is slapping a band-aid on the gaping wound that is the 49ers’ quarterback situation.

The team that adds a Ryan Fitzpatrick type should be a team that is a quarterback away from contending in 2016. We’re talking a team with a solid foundation but that struggled to get production from the most important position in the game. That could be a Los Angeles Rams type, who stumbled with Nick Foles behind center, or the Denver Broncos, who could be looking to replace the likely retiring Peyton Manning while they still have most of their top-ranked defense in place.

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That’s not the scenario the 49ers find themselves in. While crazier things have happened, the 49ers have too many holes to be considered serious title contenders in 2016. Yes, it’s possible that the 49ers’ free agents and draft picks will fit wonderfully and Chip Kelly’s new system will pump up the production of the players held over from the Jim Tomsula era, but it’s short-sighted and unrealistic to count on that happening.

Things would be different if there was a quarterback of, say, Drew Brees’ pedigree available on the market. That’s a player who can raise the performance of his teammates with his greatness. When the best veteran available is Fitzpatrick, however, that’s not really the case. Fitzpatrick can run your offense and do so at a competent NFL starter level, but he’s not going to add anything special to the mix. He’s going to let his teammates play to their abilities, not beyond them, in other words.

The 49ers would be better off spending their free agent dollars elsewhere.

Next: Rookies with Question Marks