San Francisco 49ers

49ers Made the Right Choice Switching to QB Colin Kaepernick

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick got his first start in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills. Despite a so-so performance, head coach Chip Kelly made the right choice and Kap’s effort backs it up.

Colin Kaepernick is not the perfect quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and he’s not likely the long-term answer either.

Yet head coach Chip Kelly had few other options than switching to Kap from now-benched QB Blaine Gabbert in Week 6. And it’s a move likely to stay in place between now and the rest of the season.

Kaepernick got his first start on the road against the Buffalo Bills in Week 6. The Bills ranked 17th against the pass entering the game. And despite a lopsided 45-16 loss for San Francisco, Kelly’s move is justified by Kap’s on-field efforts.

The former Niners star’s stat line doesn’t suggest a vast improvement over Gabbert. Kaepernick completed just 13 of 29 passing attempts for a mere 187 yards. And three of those incomplete passes could have been picked by Buffalo’s defense.

But Kap didn’t get a lot of help from his receivers either, especially in the second half. So all of this has to be factored into his pedestrian 77.8 passer rating.

Gabbert’s rating on the season was 69.6 prior to being benched. So maybe this isn’t a major upgrade.

And yet the 49ers offense seemed substantially better than what has been seen in previous weeks.

Reviewing the Film

No, Kaepernick isn’t likely going to reinvigorate this offense and suddenly look like he’s the player from 2012 and 2013.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws a pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Still, Kap does have one weapon in his arsenal not seen from Gabbert much at all this season — a big arm.

Kaepernick still isn’t accurate. And you’ll see how underthrown this 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Torrey Smith was. But it was the right read — a problem Kap has dealt with over his entire career — and it resulted in, what was then, a crucial 49ers score:

Smith was targeted seven times yet only hauled in three passes for 76 yards and the score. But it’s clear San Francisco’s offense will look to involve Smith on deep passes more than what we saw with Gabbert.

And Kaepernick’s legs were more of a factor too. He rushed for 66 yards on eight carries, including a critical scramble from the end zone, which would have been a safety had Kap not eluded the tackle.

There was this 29-yard pickup as well:

Moving forward, this will at least force opposing defenses to consider Smith, running back Carlos Hyde and Kaepernick as offensive weapons.

Good or bad, depending on how you view Kap and the Niners offense, the quarterback is now Kelly’s best offensive playmaker.

More from Niner Noise

Again, Kaepernick isn’t the ideal quarterback for Kelly’s system. And he’s not anywhere close to being the kind of player who is capable of invigorating a talent-strapped offense.

But Kelly had few other options, given the context of the situation.

And Kap easily ensured he’d retain the starting job. At least for another week.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Sports-Reference.com and ESPN.com unless otherwise indicated.

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