The future of the San Francisco 49ers is murky at the moment with the team struggling to get wins and finish out the year. With Colin Kaepernick facing trade rumors and other players with expiring contracts to their name, 2016 could look very different for the franchise. The quarterback position might have the biggest question mark of all as Anquan Boldin admits Blaine Gabbert is the real future of the team.
Kaepernick originally signed a contract that made him the franchise star. However, poor play this year caused him to be benched and a shoulder injury ended his season completely. Now several NFL sources are reporting that the 49ers are prepared to move on from Kaepernick with either a trade or release in the offseason. General manager Trent Baalke did not help the case by remaining coy over the quarterback's future.
In Kaepernick's place, Gabbert has gotten the starting nod and while the 49ers are not winning, the quarterback position and offense have clearly improved. According to Boldin, Gabbert is the future of the franchise.
""I think so," Boldin said, via NFL.com. "His body of work the last couple of weeks speaks for itself. You don't play the way that he's been playing just by luck. Blaine matured from having his struggles in Jacksonville. He's had time to sit back and really learn. I think him coming over here has been a blessing in disguise for not only him but us as well. You've seen him the last couple of weeks. He's been playing lights out."
Gabbert is owed just over $2 milion next season which means he is going nowhere. That gives the 49ers some flexibility. The team could drop Kaepernick and draft someone young to develop or they could keep the quarterback and let him play backup to Gabbert in 2016. The 49ers can afford to make several moves at the position with Gabbert having one of the best bargain contracts in the league.
The 49ers do have some pieces in place for the future. Carlos Hyde will be the star once he is healthy again while Torrey Smith signed a big contract in free agency. What is unclear is whether or not Boldin will return. The wide receiver told the San Jose Mercury News that he intends to continue playing and hopes that the 49ers decide to bring him back, but ultimately he is unsure what his future holds.
No, this isn't the end," Boldin said, via the San Jose Mercury News. "I haven't heard anything, at this point. Hopefully I will hear something."
