San Francisco 49ers

Who Plays Quarterback for the 49ers in 2017?

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

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The San Francisco 49ers may be scrambling to find a starting quarterback for the 2017 season after news of Colin Kaepernick planning to opt out of his current contract.

Cross off Blaine Gabbert for the starting quarterback job with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. And we can all but draw a line through Colin Kaepernick’s name next year as well.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Kaepernick is expected to opt out of his current contract and become a free agent this offseason. Gabbert will be one as well.

Neither quarterback is a likable option for San Francisco moving forward. And Kaepernick, in spite of a recent hot streak before Week 13, took a major hit with a 1-of-5, four-yard showing against the Chicago Bears in the Niners’ 26-6 loss.

So no Kap and no Gabbert next year. Fine, but who comes into play?

The 2017 free-agent market at the position is pretty thin, outside of Washington Redskins QB Kirk Cousins. He’s going to get paid, and it seems most likely he’s re-signed.

While the 49ers have plenty of cap space next year, is this how San Francisco chooses to address such a need?

It would be one thing if this was the only glaring problem the Niners had. But they have more than just a handful of roster questions. In reality, the entire roster is one big question mark.

And this might force the team’s hand.

Options on the 49ers Roster

Let’s assume both Gabbert and Kaepernick walk. The remaining QBs on the roster are Thad Lewis (injured reserve) and Christian Ponder (frequently inactive).

Both of these signal-callers are also pending free agents, although they stand a slightly better chance of being re-signed by San Francisco this offseason. Heck, before his preseason injury, one might have thought Lewis was outperforming both Gabbert and Kaepernick before getting hurt.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Thad Lewis (9) warms up before the game against the Houston Texans at Levi’s Stadium. Houston defeated San Francisco 24-13. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Lewis also played in Kelly’s system with the Philadelphia Eagles so, if Kelly remains head coach next year, the 29-year-old Lewis might be a favorite here, if not an ideal one.

Ponder is another choice. The former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings has yet to be active in a regular-season game this year.

And while his preseason efforts might have raised a few eyebrows, keep in mind these were primarily against second- and third-string units. Make of that what you wish.

Dec 3, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up prior to a game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the ACC Championship college football game at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The 2017 NFL Draft

There is always the choice of selecting the Niners’ next franchise QB in the NFL Draft. The only problem is this year’s quarterbacking crop isn’t quite as deep, and there isn’t exactly a surefire top-tier pick.

Clemson’s Deshaun Watson? Maybe. North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky? Perhaps. Or maybe the Niners take a shot on Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer or Miami’s Brad Kaaya.

2018 might be the better group, but that means San Francisco would have to endure another year of less-than sub-par quarterbacking play. And even if the Niners rolled with a rookie signal-caller in 2017, he’d likely endure the same problems current rookie QBs Jared Goff and Carson Wentz are going through.

Not everyone can be Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott or enjoy the same scenario he’s having right now.