49ers Coach Chip Kelly Says Blaine Gabbert Doesn’t Have ‘Leg Up’ On Colin Kaepernick

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The quarterback battle in the Bay Area remains unresolved. Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert are seemingly neck-and-neck with no real indication as to who will be the starter in Week 1 for the San Francisco 49ers.

To make matters worse for the 49ers, Kaepernick has been dealing with a “dead arm” issue which thrusts Gabbert into the spotlight. Gabbert appears to have the edge in the quarterback battle between these two veterans, but new head coach Chip Kelly is downplaying that fact, via San Jose Mercury News:

“I don’t look at it as a leg up,” Kelly said, via the San Jose Mercury News. “We’re just going to judge them on the opportunities to get in there and go. So if Colin gets in there and does a great job when he’s in, I’m not going to say, ‘Well, he didn’t get as many snaps as Blaine.’ They’re going to be judged on who moves our offensive football team the best, who protects the football the best, gives us an opportunity to win games.”

Kelly may be keeping his true intentions for the starting quarterback a secret. Kaepernick obviously hasn’t blown him away during his short time with the team. Gabbert, however, has received praise and may very well be the Week 1 starter, but nothing is set in stone with Kelly keeping people guessing.

With a few weeks left until the season opener, the quarterback battle between Kaepernick and Gabbert will continue to be a hot topic of discussion in San Francisco. Although Kelly may be leaning Gabbert, especially with Kaepernick dealing with his arm issue, no starter has been named and anything can change over the next few weeks.