Chip Kelly puts off 49ers' QB discussion as case for Blaine Gabbert crumbles

Ron Clements

Chip Kelly puts off 49ers' QB discussion as case for Blaine Gabbert crumbles image

Blaine Gabbert accounted for two of three San Francisco turnovers in Thursday night's 33-21 loss to the Cardinals.

But even with Gabbert's interceptions and the 49ers' struggles to sustain drives, coach Chip Kelly never thought about making a quarterback change during the game.

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He wouldn't discuss the quarterback situation following the game, but did say all positions would be evaluated over the next couple of games, including whether a change from Gabbert to former starter Colin Kaepernick is warranted.

"I don't think tonight we're going to talk about that," Kelly told reporters at Levi's Stadium. "We're going to go and look at everything. We've got a couple days off here in terms of getting ready for Buffalo and then we'll assess the film and then we'll move from there. But we're not talking about who's playing in a game 10 days from now.

"Nobody played well on offense."

Gabbert was 18 of 31 for 162 yards with a touchdown, and ran for 70 yards on 10 attempts to add another late score. His two interceptions led to 10 Arizona points.

"I've got to play better," Gabbert said. "There's no question to that. I've got to do a better job leading this football team, executing this offense, scoring points, winning games, the whole nine yards. That's just the way it goes. I've got to play better.

"I let this team, this organization down," Gabbert added. "I did not play good whatsoever, and that's on me. I had two crucial turnovers that led to points for the Cardinals, and that was the difference in the game right there. I've got to do a better job protecting the football and leading this team to scoring points and winning games."

Frustrated 49ers fans were chanting "We want Kap" in the second half, though Gabbert said he did not hear them.

Gabbert then led the 49ers on a 13-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:52 remaining in a game that was already out of reach. 

Kaepernick helped the Niners reach the Super Bowl in 2012 and became the full-time starter in 2013. He lost that role last season, and finished the year on injured reserve following shoulder surgery. 

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Kelly has stated Kaepernick, who has been active during games, isn't yet physically ready to play following offseason rehab. The obvious question then is, if Kaepernick's conditioning isn't game-ready, then why is he active and dressed, just one play away from entering the game? Niners fans are still waiting for the answer to that question. 

"We're going to look at everything," Kelly said. "We're 1-4. We've got to make sure we're going out there and giving us the best chance to win, so we've got to look at everything."

Ron Clements