Predicting the San Francisco 49ers Starting Lineup in 2017
By Peter Panacy
Quarterback
Ah, the $64 million question… who starts under center for the 49ers in 2017?
Former starter Blaine Gabbert is a free agent next year, and there’s no reason for San Francisco to bring him back. Depth guys Thad Lewis and Christian Ponder are also free agents.
So that leaves Colin Kaepernick as the only option under contract, kind of.
Kaepernick could opt out of his current deal after 2016. Considering how ugly things have been for Kap since 2014, it wouldn’t be a shock at all if he were to take this route. Although it’s worth considering how the quarterback’s efforts have, somewhat, been better the last three games under head coach Chip Kelly.
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Assuming that relationship doesn’t continue, the 49ers will be left in a bind. The team isn’t good enough to have a QB like Dak Prescott come into a perfect situation and tear up the league.
So this likely means a free agent or, perhaps, a top-tier signal-caller in the NFL Draft.
Either way, the Niners will be looking to find a solution to their quarterbacking needs in either the short- or long-term picture.
Next: Possible Landing Spots for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick in 2017