Kelly: Kaepernick, Gabbert splitting reps to start camp
The San Francisco 49ers have themselves a good, old-fashioned quarterback competition.
Speaking with reports ahead of the first training camp practice Sunday, head coach Chip Kelly said that Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert will start with an even split of first-team snaps.
Chip Kelly said first-string snaps will be "split right down the middle" between Gabbert & Kaepernick. 12 team snaps each today.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 31, 2016
The snap allocation likely won't last any longer than a few weeks, as one signal-caller can be expected to separate himself at some point before San Francisco's Week 1 opener.
A level playing field to start camp simply suggests the coaching staff doesn't consider either play to have an advantage heading in.
Kaepernick, selected in the second round of the 2011 draft, appeared to be emerging as one of the league's most dynamic playmakers under Jim Harbaugh. His play suffered when the veteran head coach departed ahead of the 2015 season, though, and his chances of starting will come down to a scheme fit within Chip Kelly's offense.
San Francisco retaining Kaepernick this offseason, despite an expensive price tag, would appear to be indicative of some optimism from Kelly in that respect.
Gabbert started eight consecutive games to close out the 2015 season after Kaepernick was forced to the sidelines with injury. His 2,031-yard, 10-touchdown stretch wasn't particularly impressive, but the former first-round pick certainly showed improvement after being labelled a first-round bust in Jacksonville.