Fansided

5 reasons Chip Kelly can work with the 49ers

By Nathaniel Reeves

Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Redskins defeated the Eagles, 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke speaks at a press conference during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

He won’t be in charge of personnel 

Kelly clearly has a great mind for offense, and it can be argued he has proven himself as an NFL coach after taking over a 4-12 team and leading it to a 26-21 record over three seasons. Again, taking over personnel decisions and becoming the de facto general manager led to Kelly’s undoing with the Eagles.

Kelly jettisoned a number of the core veteran players last offseason with the Eagles in multiple decisions that look very bad in hindsight. Acquiring Bradford didn’t work out, while switching out LeSean McCoy for DeMarco Murray backfired even more.

That led to Kelly stating he didn’t want personnel control at his next job, and he won’t have it in San Francisco. Baalke will still be the general manager with Kelly around, which could make for a better situation that last year in Philadelphia.

There will be a lot of pressure on Baalke as well as Kelly to turn around a roster with multiple holes. Baalke has had quite a bit of success as 49ers’ GM and helped build the Super Bowl contenders of 2011-2013, but has also missed on a few draft picks in recent times.

The relationship between Baalke, Kelly and York will be interesting to watch. All three have very strong personalities, so there is a definite chance of having another Harbaugh situation.

If York can keep interference at a minimum (a massive “if” given the past couple of seasons) and allow Baalke and Kelly to do their best work, good things could be happening in San Francisco sooner rather than later.

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