The quarterback market has been rather barren this offseason, and it has led to teams rolling the dice on a mix of young inexperienced players, older journeyman, and players with a variety of question marks. The Cleveland Browns are hoping to rehabilitate Robert Griffin III. The New York Jets are probably hoping to get a deal done with Ryan Fitzpatrick. And of course, our 49ers are figuring out whether Blaine Gabbert or Colin Kaepernick will be the starting QB in 2016.
Patrick Daugherty of Rotoworld recently ranked out all 32 teams and how their quarterback situation looks for 2016. The top teams have a franchise quarterback in place, with only the Patriots having a question mark due to Tom Brady's potential suspension. The Seattle Seahawks top the list, followed by the Packers, Panthers, Colts, Steelers, and Patriots.
It should surprise nobody that the 49ers are ranked near the bottom of the list, sitting at No. 30. The only teams ranked worse are the Cleveland Browns at No. 31, and the New York Jets at No. 31. They listed out the quarterback, or quarterbacks, involved in the QB situation. I think this list for the Jets sums up their situation best:
The writer hit on the usual talking points in discussing Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick. Here is what Daugherty had to say:
Chip Kelly could be the best thing that’s ever happened to Colin Kaepernick, but that didn’t stop Kap from spending the entire offseason trying to force his way out of San Francisco. Now stuck with his on-paper savior, Kap is also stuck with something else: A quarterback competition. Kelly is famous for his success with dual-threat quarterbacks in college, but fancying himself an iconoclast, he’s time and again gone with pure pocket creatures in the pros. That’s why the possibility that Kelly might buy into Blaine Gabbert’s 2015 “revival” cannot be written off out of hand. It’s also possible that Kap is simply unsalvageable. The only thing steady about his recent play has been its downward trajectory. There’s a universe where Kap and Kelly save each other’s careers, but many more where things go wrong.
For comparison, here is what Daugherty said about the 49ers QB situation a year ago:
Colin Kaepernick is perhaps the most physically-imposing player to ever lead an offense, but his returns have been diminishing since he brought the 49ers within five yards of a Super Bowl title in 2013. His touch is poor and his progressions are poorer. That’s not a good thing for a fourth-year starter who just lost his mentor in Jim Harbaugh. Kaep has recognized something’s got to give in 2015. He spent the offseason working on his pocket mechanics with Kurt Warner, and has vowed to become more precise with his passes. But 1,117 throws into his career, will Kaepernick be able to remember his new tricks in the face of the blitz? It’s a question that will define the 49ers’ 2015 season, and Kaepernick’s future with the team. Kaepernick is a gifted athlete, one born to play quarterback. There’s just no guarantee he’ll be doing it for the 49ers in 2016 if his 2015 goes anything like his 2014.
Given all the questions surrounding Kaepernick and Gabbert, I'm not at all surprised the 49ers are ranked so low. But there are some very iffy QB situations listed ahead of San Francisco. Here are the ten teams ranked ahead of them.
29. Texans - Brock Osweiler
28. Broncos - Mark Sanchez, Paxton Lynch
27. Bills - Tyrod Taylor
26. Eagles - Carson Wentz, Sam Bradford, Chase Daniel
25. Cardinals - Carson Palmer
24. Vikings - Teddy Bridgewater
23. Cowboys - Tony Romo
22. Rams - Jared Goff
21. Bears - Jay Cutler
20. Chiefs - Alex Smith