I don't know about Chip, but San Francisco is objectively a terrible situation for a QB. Bottom five in offensive talent, top five in most organizational dysfunction.
What I dont see is where he is going to go where he actually has a better chance to be a starter? The places that I can think of that have a bit of an unsettled QB situation are: Houston (but I cant see Obrien wanting Kap), Cleveland, maybe the Bears and the Rams. I would imagine at least 2 of those teams get their starter in the draft and maybe the 49ers would do that too. So I think you are looking at 2 potential options which doesnt seem like a great market to me.
I think he's better off going somewhere to sit for a couple years and work on his stuff behind the scenes than start in San Francisco and (almost inevitably) fail.
This would probably be his last shot as a starter, but he has to begin looking like an NFL starter now or his starting career is basically over. He is 28 and I really cant think of an example, in recent history, where a QB went from a starter to a bench player in his late 20s and then went on to have any significant career. And if he goes to the bench, I think he could quickly be forgotten around the league.
The Eagles' offensive talent was thoroughly overrated last year, but they are the Mike Martz Rams compared to what the 49ers have. They are awful. They finished 32nd in points for a reason - actually, for a lot of reasons throughout the offense. There isn't enough pig-lipstick in the world. It's fair to say going to the bench for a year or two and then starting is a longshot, but I view it as less of a longshot than succeeding on the 2016 Niners.
How has it been this long without someone commenting on the word bazar?
The opposite end of the spectrum is Tebow; who was a hero to bible-belt conservatives but his marginal talents couldn't make up for the fact that you bring this guy in and a bunch of media is going to follow and everyone in the organization is going to have to answer a bunch of questions they otherwise wouldn't have to answer if they brought in some other replacement-level schmuck.
This is an interesting counterpoint to why he's not signed:
Kaepernick isn't an awful QB, he's just not as good as he was in 2013-2014. He has averaged less than an half an INT/game for his career and he's never had a season of starting double digit games where he hasn't had a QB Rating above 85 and he has had 3 seasons above 90. You can't tell me that that is a worse track record than Blake Bortles, Geno Smith, Ryan Fiztpatrick, Blain Gabbert, or Case Keenum, all of whom have jobs.
That's an interesting comp. Although Kaepernick has had considerably more pro success than did Tebow. (Relatively, of course).
Isn't saying he doesn't fit most systems directly calling out his lack of ability?
Didn't he have the reputation in SF as being a loner in the locker room and someone who didn't work very hard? Those are two terrible traits for a QB. There was a lot of crap floated out there in SF so it's tough to tell what's true and what's not.
There seem to be other things going on with Seattle though. I dont know if I would bring in a "decent" outspoken backup to that team if I was management. Sure it might cost me a win or two if Wilson goes down. But I IMHO Kaep would be a lightning rod for further dysfunction within the locker room in that situation, even if ignoring his past PR problems. I could picture Sherman spouting off "Wilson is still teachers pet, Pete wont say anything to him even now! We know that Col would be just as good with this defense!" Queue additional desk throwing and uncomfortable meetings.
This was all nonsense leaked by management to make him look bad during all the front office infighting. By all credible accounts (i.e. not anonymous sources with an agenda) he's a tremendously hard worker who gets along fine with his teammates. His teammates voted him the team's Most Inspirational/Courageous Player last year.
To follow up on this, Harbaugh and Chip Kelly specifically said he worked as hard as anyone on the team and was always very focused in film sessions. The 49ers lockerroom was not a great place under Tomsula/Baalke and, while it did get better under Kelly, I do think it's still repairing itself, but the issues had little to do with Kaepernick.
If my backup didn't want to take the job from my starter, I wouldn't want him on my team.
The Sox traded for Stynes by sending Michael Coleman and Donnie Sadler to Cincinnati. He never signed with Boston.
Someone didn't get the meme-o. The italicized phrase is a reference to the meme that arose surrounding Jay Payton. Payton was acquired by trade in 2005, but was unhappy with his 4th outfielder role, so he forced his way out of town. A poster asked why he even signed with the Sox and a meme was born.
No worries. I remembered the meme, but it took me a while to dredge Jay Payton from the back of my mind. It was 12 years ago after all.
