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San Francisco 49ers: 10 Players Entering a Make-or-Break Season in 2016

By Peter Panacy

November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 8, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) looks on during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks on the field before the start of the game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) walks on the field before the start of the game against the St. Louis Rams at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick

Yes, we had to finish this slideshow on quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

It’s only fitting to see a player who once stood at the doorstep of the NFL’s elite now fighting for a starting job with the team he took to a Super Bowl not long ago.

It’s also hard to come up with anything new about Kaepernick and what will happen with him beyond this season. Yes, he’s embattled after what transpired in 2014 and 2015. Yes, he wanted a trade after all the Niners mismanagement and finger-pointing. Yes, injuries were a factor and, likely, still are. He’s not yet cleared to practice this offseason.

And it’s also conceivable head coach Chip Kelly provides the “magic elixir” which, somehow, turns Kaepernick’s floundering career back around.

Or maybe it won’t. We don’t know.

One could argue former backup, turned starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert also is entering a make-or-break season. Perhaps, but there has been far less speculation and controversy surrounding Gabbert compared to his counterpart.

Gabbert is also signed through 2016 but will be a free agent after this season. Kaepernick, on the other hand, won’t see his current contract expire until 2020 — there are, however, plenty of outs the 49ers can take, per Over the Cap.

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“Over the Kap.” Kind of witty, isn’t it? Will this be how the 49ers feel after this season? If Kap can’t turn his career around in San Francisco, will he ever find the same sort of success he enjoyed when he broke out in 2012?

It’s hard to say.

But what is easier to state is Kaepernick is, without doubt, entering a make-or-break season in 2016.

And what takes place will have major consequences for the signal-caller’s future.

Next: 10 Best, Worst Case Scenarios for the 49ers This Season

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.