For all the talk about Colin Kaepernick, it’s another quarterback who seems to be putting his stamp on the San Francisco 49ers’ offseason workouts.
According to Niners tight end Garrett Celek, it’s Blaine Gabbert who has been “taking control” of the team’s practices.
“He’s definitely taking control,” Celek said of Gabbert last week, via CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “Whoever’s at quarterback needs to take control and be our leader out there. And he’s definitely doing that. He’s making good decisions on the field.
“I think he’s definitely developing more and more as the days go on. But, right now, we’re all in the same boat learning this offense.”
Kaepernick is, of course, rehabbing from surgery, so he’s not taking an active role in the workouts. Still, it sounds like Gabbert is taking the initiative.
“Whether it’s in the locker room or out on the field, everyone has a good relationship with him,” Celek said. “And him motivating us is good.”
There will still be a quarterback competition, in all likelihood, but between this and Chip Kelly’s reported ambitions, Gabbert may well have the inside track at this point.
