When the San Francisco 49ers hire a new head coach that person will have to do a lot of evaluating of the roster. The biggest position of question is the quarterback spot as Colin Kaepernick started the season and Blaine Gabbert finished it. Now as contracts and injuries come into question, what path will the 49ers take for their 2016 starting quarterback?
According to the Sacramento Bee, Kaepernick cannot be ruled out as a potential option next season. The team's new head coach will not have long to debate on whether or not to keep Kaepernick around. On April 1, his $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes fully guaranteed which means he is not getting traded and will be on the roster come next year. Kaepernick is currently recovering from shoulder, thumb and knee injuries, but several sources believe the quarterback can get healthy and return to the franchise.
While Kaepernick remains an option for 2016, so does Gabbert. The backup quarterback started eight games this season and set career highs with a 63.1 completion percentage while throwing for 2,031 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was good, but not great. However, with more practice and playing time he could get better. Gabbert is signed through next year at a decent price which makes him easy to retain. The quarterback stressed that he fully plans on competing for the starting job regardless of who is on the roster with him.
"I'm going to compete. That's in my blood, that's who I am as a person," Gabbert said, via the team website. "I'm approaching this offseason like I'm the starting quarterback of the 49ers. Regardless of what happens, that's my mindset moving forward; that I'm going to take this team and run with it."
A new head coach could easily aim to start from scratch at the quarterback position which means San Francisco would make their move for someone in the NFL Draft. The team will make their first selection at No.7 and Bleacher Report believes Jared Goff is their top pick. ESPN's Todd Mcshay has listed Goff, Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz as the three quarterbacks capable of being selected in the first round and potentially starting right away. Any three could be options for the 49ers at that first pick. They could also hold off and select someone like Christian Hackenberg or Connor Cook in the second or third round.
The head coach's style will be the biggest factor in who starts at quarterback. According to ESPN.com, Chip Kelly has interviewed for the position. He might favor keeping Kaepernick. Someone like Hue Jackson might want to bring in a rookie to start over.
