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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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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 /

No. 3: What Happens Under Center?

The 49ers have no clear-cut starter established at quarterback this season. Former starting option Colin Kaepernick has yet to be cleared to practice, and his replacement, Blaine Gabbert, has assumed the starting job.

For now.

Head coach Chip Kelly doesn’t need to make a decision here just yet. And there are plusses and minuses to both Gabbert and Kaepernick’s fit and capability within the coach’s scheme. Both are mobile, both have strong arms and both can’t be considered very accurate.

Gabbert has better pocket presence, while Kaepernick is far more dynamic of an athlete.

Best-Case Scenario

Let’s not decide which quarterback should start. Not yet at least. If you really want to, just copy and paste your favorite 49ers quarterback’s name and place it here — 49ers quarterback X — and use it for the rest of the slide.

At any rate, San Francisco’s guy under center winds up thriving under Kelly. The offensive approach is a far superior method of attack compared to anything offered up by former offensive coordinator Geep Chryst last season.

Combined with a revamped offensive line, 49ers quarterback X winds up having enough time to read through progressions and make the right throw on a regular basis.

And some consistency would be nice too.

Worst-Case Scenario

Trouble at signal-caller doesn’t go away, even under Kelly. The flaws from each quarterback’s skill set are fully revealed, and San Francisco’s passing game never materializes into a true strength.

The Niners are haunted by a lack of legitimate receiving options and, if the worst-case scenario from the offensive line slide rings true, 49ers quarterbacks are regularly under pressure and unable to deliver timely throws when necessary.

And San Francisco is, once again, mocked to be looking at a long-term option under center.

Next: No. 2: Chip Kelly's First Year as Head Coach