San Francisco 49ers to start Blaine Gabbert; Colin Kaepernick No. 2

The San Francisco 49ers announced that Blaine Gabbert will start the season as the team’s No. 1 quarterback. Colin Kaepernick will be the backup.

The quarterback situation for the  San Francisco 49ers was one of the more talked about competitions in the preseason. The 49ers went into their preseason slate with Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick both battling for the starting spot. When the dust settled on Saturday, Gabbert was the one who had won the job.

Throughout the preseason, Kaepernick made more headlines for his actions off the field. He sat out the first two preseason games, and then sat during the National Anthem in games three and four. The action caused a major stir across the country, as the quarterback said he wanted to bring light to racial oppression in America.

Kaepernick’s performance varied on the field, as he looked really bad in preseason game No. 3. However, he got the start in the 49ers preseason finale, and looked like the Kaepernick of odd. He was booed mercifully before and during the game, but played with poise for the first time in a long time.

As rosters were cut to the final 53 on Saturday, there was still some lingering questions as to whether Kaepernick would make the team. He did in fact make it, and will begin the season as backup to Gabbert, as per head coach Chip Kelly.

The 49ers are expected to struggle big time in 2016, as most odds-makers have them slated to finish near the bottom of the league. They have more question marks than just the quarterback position, and Chip Kelly will find it tough sledding in his first season as the team’s head coach. Kelly was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles last season.

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San Francisco will open up their 2016 regular season on Monday Night Football at home against the Los Angeles Rams.