While Colin Kaepernick continues to recover from multiple offseason surgeries, Blaine Gabbert is reportedly winning over his teammates.
Adam Silver of NFL Network said the two San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks are “allegedly in competition” for the starting gig and called Gabbert the “heavy favorite” to land the job this summer.
“He’s loved in this locker room,” Silver said of Gabbert, via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com. “He did a lot of good things last year and I’d be shocked if he’s not the starter in the opener.”
It should be noted that Kaepernick threw passes on Tuesday with the 49ers for the first time since last November when he had surgery on his torn labrum. Everyone in the locker room had nice things to say about his return to action, including Gabbert.
It should also be noted that head coach Chip Kelly has had nothing but good things to say about Kaepernick all offseason long. Then again, he’s had nothing but glowing statements when speaking to the media about Gabbert as well.
Based purely on their statistical achievements last season, Gabbert enters 2016 with a stronger what-have-you-done-for-me-lately resume. He completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,031 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Kaepernick completed just 59 percent of his passes for 1,615 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
It’s easy to get behind what Silver is saying about Gabbert winning over San Francisco’s locker room. Kaepernick’s teammates might not be as behind him as they’re saying, based purely on his request for a trade this offseason and based on the way he reportedly disconnected last season.
And while the locker room isn’t the ultimate authority when it comes to who starts at quarterback, you have to imagine that dynamic will be taken into account during evaluations.
This competition will be one of the more fascinating to watch throughout training camps around the league.