The San Francisco 49ers have released their first official depth chart. On the depth chart, quarterbacks Colin Kapernick and Blaine Gabbert are listed as co-starters. There is no decision on who will start the team’s first preseason game Thursday against the Houston Texans.
49ers Name Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert Co-Starting Quarterbacks
Kapernick became the 49ers starting quarterback in Week 11 of the 2012 NFL season. He led the team to Super Bowl XLVII, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. In the 2013 season, Kaepernick threw for 3,197 yards and 21 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. After Kaepernick rushed for an NFL record 181 yards against the Green Bay Packers, the 49ers were back in the NFC Championship Game against their rival Seattle Seahawks.
The 49ers were one pass away from getting back to the Super Bowl. Kapernick threw a pass to the end zone that was tipped by Richard Sherman and intercepted by Earl Thomas III.
Since then, his numbers have fallen. In 2014, he threw for a career high 3,369 yards, but he also threw for two less touchdowns and two more interceptions. In 2015, after throwing for six touchdowns and five touchdowns, he lost his starting job to Gabbert.
Gabbert was drafted in the first round (10th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2011 NFL Draft. He has thrown for 6,426 yards and 33 touchdowns and 31 interceptions over his four year career. He also became the first University of Alabama quarterback in the NFL to win a game since 1987 when he led the 49ers to a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Gabbert threw for 2,031 yards and 10 touchdowns to seven interceptions in the 2015 NFL season.
The 49ers are also under their first season under head coach Chip Kelly. Kelly led the Philadelphia Eagles to two playoff appearances and an NFC title in three seasons. The 49ers 2016 season kicks off on Sept. 11 when they host their other NFC West rival in the Los Angeles Rams.
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