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San Francisco 49ers: Chip Kelly’s Offense Stinks, but It’s Not the Head Coach’s Fault

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 /
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Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) after an Arizona Cardinals safety during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 33-21. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Gabbert Factor

Yes, quarterback Blaine Gabbert is capable of the occasional nice toss. It’s a reason he was a first-round pick back in 2011.

But every good throw is offset by a poor one. Or two, three. Just look at this pick by Cardinals cornerback Marcus Cooper:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/784223956630843392

Gabbert could have thrown underneath on this 1st-and-10 play and not risked Cooper jumping the route. Or, the Niners QB could have scrambled to his right and picked up five or six yards without much issue.

Instead, we see a poorly thrown ball and the subsequent turnover.

And this play against the Dallas Cowboys?

All Gabbert had to do was look to the far right or left of the field. One-on-one open coverage, which would have led to a substantial gain.

No wonder Gabbert is ranked as the No. 34 overall quarterback out of 35 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.

Rare are the teams who can win without an above-average quarterback. Kelly had accurate QBs, for the most part, in Philadelphia. He has nothing close to one in San Francisco.