49ers Name Blaine Gabbert Starting QB

The 49ers quarterback competition has seemingly been wrapped up for more than a month, but the team only finalized its QB depth chart today. Blaine Gabbert will start for the team in Week 1, according to a team announcement. Blaine Gabbert (vertical)

[RELATED: Colin Kaepernick To Make Niners’ Roster]

Last year, Gabbert started in eight games for the Niners and posted a 3-5 record. Of course, the team’s troubles in 2015 went far beyond the quarterback position. When looking specifically at Gabbert’s performance, team brass liked what they saw. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2011 draft completed 63% of his passes (a career-high) and threw for 2,031 yards with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

This offseason, coach Chip Kelly told everyone that it would be an open competition at quarterback, but it was widely believed that Gabbert already had it in the bag. Not only was Colin Kaepernick coming back from surgery on his left shoulder in November, but he has also been battling tightness in his right shoulder. Also, when Kelly got the job early on in the offseason, he went several weeks without reaching out to No. 7. Regardless, the 49ers are slated to have one expensive backup in Kaepernick as he is scheduled to earn $11.9MM this year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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