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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Best & Worst Case Scenarios for the 2016 Season

By Peter Panacy

Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) jumps up with cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) to break up the pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) on the final play during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly poses for a photo after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chip Kelly poses for a photo after being introduced as the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Chip Kelly’s First Season as 49ers Head Coach

Head coach Chip Kelly might have been one of the more divisive candidates on the market this offseason before the 49ers inked him to a contract.

Sure, things didn’t end well for Kelly and his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles. But he had roster control in 2015. Kelly gambled on himself and lost. Such isn’t the case in San Francisco.

And even the best head coaches can get off to ugly starts. Remember New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick’s tenure with the Cleveland Browns? Yeah, that wasn’t exactly pretty.

At least we can say the Niners won’t be as dull in 2016.

Best-Case Scenario

Kelly is able to maximize each player’s potential and ability — an effort which will help turn an anemic offense into something of value and potency. It’s what good coaches do, and the 49ers were missing that last year.

While the 49ers defense may be at a bit of a risk because of Kelly’s uptempo approach, the offseason reinforcements added to that side of the ball help alleviate much of the concerns.

San Francisco closes the ugly minus-149 scoring differential seen a year ago and returns to some respectability.

Worst-Case Scenario

Kelly’s best days are behind him and, as NFL analyst Mark Schlereth stated on ESPN 1320 in Sacramento earlier this year, college-style offenses will never work out over the long run at the NFL level.

The rest of the league figured out Kelly during his time in Philadelphia. Remaining teams have made their adjustments and have formulated plans to take away what Kelly is trying to install.

On top of that, an inexperienced and talent-lacking 49ers squad still can’t compete adequately enough.

And Kelly’s first year in San Francisco doesn’t look much better than 2015.

Next: No. 1: 49ers 2016 Record