San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players with a Lot to Prove in 2016
By Peter Panacy
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Out of this entire group, quarterback Colin Kaepernick may have the most to prove out of any of the returning 49ers this season.
After a disastrous 2015 campaign, which ended in Kaepernick being benched in favor of fellow QB Blaine Gabbert, Kaepernick may have a shot to resurrect his career with new head coach Chip Kelly and his offensive-driven scheme.
Yet this doesn’t mean Kaepernick will suddenly revert back to the dynamic playmaking threat he was when he dominated the headlines in 2012 and 2013.
Rumors about Kaepernick’s future in San Francisco have clouded the wire since the end of former head coach Jim Harbaugh’s tenure with the team. And while general manager Trent Baalke’s recent statements about Kaepernick “absolutely” being with the team on April 1 when his bonus money becomes guaranteed, the 49ers are all but certain to be keeping their options open.
Kaepernick is one of those options. The book isn’t closed just yet, even if Kaepernick requested a trade from the team.
Still, the 49ers may be keeping one eye open on other possibilities. Gabbert is one choice as is a target in the upcoming 2016 NFL draft.
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Yet Kaepernick will have to prove once more to the coaching staff and front office he’s worth retaining and will be a benefit to the offense rather than what was seen as an overwhelming liability for the first half of last season.
Next: Possible 49ers 2016 Cap Casualties
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated. Contractual information courtesy of Over the Cap.