After setting the NFL world on fire in 2012 and 2013 with his 17-6 record and a pair of deep playoff runs, including an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII, 49ers’ QB Colin Kaepernick rapidly regressed over the last two seasons.
Things got so bad that head coach Jim Tomsula decided to give Kaepernick a “mental break” by benching him in favor of Blaine Gabbert.
Yes that Blaine Gabbert.
Kaepernick’s horrific 2015 came to an end in late November after he told the team that he wanted to get surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, which forced the team to put him on the season ending IR list. It appeared that Colin Kaepernick’s time with the San Francisco 49ers was over.
But now that might not be the case.
Niners’ CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke have decided to hire Chip Kelly as the 20th head coach in the franchise’s storied history. Kelly’s offense is predicated on having a mobile quarterback and Kaepernick is still capable of using his legs to create problems for the opposing defense.
If the 49ers decide to keep Kaepernick, he’ll be the best quarterback Kelly has coached in his NFL tenure. But will Kelly be able to find the same success that Jim Harbaugh had with him?
Twitter: @ScottDargis