San Francisco 49ers: The decline of Colin Kaepernick
By Luke Sims
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has seen his career hit amazing highs and, now, shocking lows. Can he rebound?
Colin Kaepernick was, for a while, the best quarterback to come out of the 2011 NFL Draft. Players like Christian Ponder, Jake Locker, and Blaine Gabbert were drafted higher, but all fell flat. Kaepernick, meanwhile, was excelling in an offense built around him and starting in the Super Bowl.
Now, just three seasons removed from starting in Super Bowl XLVII, Kaepernick is fighting for a starting job with 2011 first-rounder – and widely considered bust – Blaine Gabbert to be the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He’s gone from winning 12 games as a starter in 2013 to winning just two of eight starts in 2015 before landing on injured reserve.
The decline of the 49ers has been at least in part due to internal turmoil. The division between the front office and former head coach Jim Harbaugh was well known and led to the latter’s departure. Jim Tomsula was hardly an adequate replacement at head coach in 2015.
Related Story: A rebirth for Blaine Gabbert with the Niners?
Still, even with the decline of the overall organization, it would seem that Kaepernick’s athleticism and devotion to the game would overcome the strife. Alas, the plays he thrived on – including the potent read option – were too gimmicky for long-term success as an NFL quarterback, and he suffered. As defenses wised up to his ability to run, he no longer had a second threat that was more potent than his passing game.
The frustrated, under-performing former star knew he wasn’t be used effectively. He knew he didn’t have much more room to grow in the 49ers organization. As a result, he and his agents asked for a trade in 2016. The team declined to let him seek a trade and the team expected him to come back and be a part of the team.
Kaepernick’s presence played at least a small part in the selection of the Niners’ new head coach, according to Ian Rapoport. The ability to play fast and be a dual threat made him a perfect match with new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly, or so it was thought. Kelly wanted to work with Kaepernick, also thinking he would be a valuable addition to his fast offense.
To Kaepernick’s credit, he still thinks he’ll be the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers going forward. As Spin Zone’s Lauren Lapaglia writes:
"All signs point to Kaepernick finally making an appearance against the Packers at the 49ers second home game this preseason. He’s got quite a bit of talk to back up, and if San Francisco has any hope at a decent season, they’ll need Kaepernick back in top form."
But do the Niners really need him back in top form? Do they really need him at all?
As painful as it may be to see Blaine Gabbert as a starting quarterback again in the NFL, he has put together a solid case to be the starter in San Francisco for 2016. He has gone 23 of 28 (82.1 completion percentage) for 203 yards and a touchdown. His 108.8 quarterback rating through the preseason is better than any season rating he’s ever achieved in five NFL seasons. In fact, comparing his preseason performances as a group to any game in his career, Gabbert’s current surge would be his third highest rated performance ever.
To beat out Gabbert, Kaepernick needed to be exceptional in his preseason action. He finally saw the field in Week 3 of the preseason and delivered 14 yards while completing two of six passes. He also contributed 18 yards on the ground. Gabbert posted 14 yards while going two of three and adding 15 yards on the ground.
Based on the preseason and the ongoing Kaepernick slump, it looks more and more like Kelly’s choice is clear: Gabbert should be the starter. If that is the case, Kaepernick’s career will hit another low.
Maybe it’s the long return from shoulder surgery. Maybe it’s another offensive system change. Maybe it’s all in his head. Either way, Colin Kaepernick simply hasn’t stepped up. He hasn’t delivered since Harbaugh left and he hasn’t shown enough so far this offseason to suggest he deserves to be a starter in the NFL.
This decline has been tough to watch, especially for San Francisco 49ers fans. What was once one of the most exciting offenses to watch – in large part due to Kaepernick – has become a “pick your poison” situation with a resurgent Gabbert or a rutted Kaepernick. Neither option is particularly inspiring, even with Gabbert’s improved play. Based on recent results, does he even deserve the chance to rebound?
More Niners: Is the Chip Kelly-Colin Kaepernick combo golden?
A few seasons ago the thought of Colin Kaepernick not living up to expectations was impossible. Now, after a rough season, it seems possible he won’t even be the best QB option on the San Francisco 49ers roster.