Differences Exist Despite 49ers 2015 and 2016 Similarities
By Peter Panacy
![Chip Kelly before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Chip Kelly before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5104b104da108759e536f451ac1add53b667f8e800ca2a1289150ef8b8453920.jpg)
Colin Kaepernick and the Locker Room
2015 was a complete disaster for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Eight weeks of sub-par football had been enough, and the Niners made the switch to Blaine Gabbert.
Kaepernick never looked particularly happy with his own situation in 2015 — either starting or on the bench.
And yet 2016 is revealing a much different outlook from San Francisco’s former star signal-caller. Just take a look at the photos:
In contrast:
OK, so these are two small windows into Kaepernick’s demeanor. But if 80 percent of human communication is done through body language, we can draw a conclusion Kap is much happier in 2016.
Perhaps his social activism has reinvigorated his mentality and drive. It’s hard to say. But Kaepernick no longer looks the sullen, downtrodden individual fans saw a year ago.
And he isn’t dividing the locker room either, at least according to most accounts.
It's clear some media members, local and national, want the Kaepernick story to divide the locker room and it's annoying them that it isn't.
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) September 22, 2016
So maybe that’s a major difference too. The 49ers already have question marks under center, and who knows if a switch back to Kap would be what the offense needs.
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Maybe. Maybe not. But the quarterbacking controversy isn’t suggesting any sort of problems off the field or in the locker room. That was a point of concern last year.
Not now.
Next: When Will the 49ers Make a Switch to QB Colin Kaepernick?
All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of ESPN.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.