Chip Kelly has announced Blaine Gabbert as the 49ers starting quarterback for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
Gabbert’s 2016 Preseason stats were as follows: 12-of-22, 146 yards, Comp%: 54.5, Yds/Att: 6.6, TD: 1, INT: 0, Rating: 90.3
Gabbert was able to gain the upper hand in the competition when Colin Kaepernick missed two weeks of practice from arm fatigue. Medical sources told KNBR.com that the 49ers mismanaged Kaepernick’s reps which clearly impacted this competition.
Gabbert led three touchdown drives in the preseason and excelled in a joint practice against the Houston Texans. While he didn’t throw an interception and wasn’t sacked, there was a reason Chip Kelly waited this long to name Blaine Gabbert the starter. He had accuracy issues and didn’t look polished during several series in the preseason.
The 49ers waived rookie Jeff Driskel following two interceptions against the Chargers, but the practice squad could be his next destination. Trent Baalke opted to keep quarterback Christian Ponder, giving the 49ers three on the active roster.
The 26-year-old Gabbert went 3-5 as the starter in the latter half of the 2015 season and threw for 2,031 yards. He started three preseason games before sitting out the finale Thursday against the Chargers.