This was supposed to be a quiet, rebuilding year in San Francisco. Lol.
During the 49ers' 33-21 home loss to the Cardinals Thursday night, dropping the team to 1-4, a chunk of the Levi's Stadium showed disgust for quarterback Blaine Gabbert. They voiced their feelings with a "We want Kaep!" chant.
"We want Kaep" #TNF #AZvsSF pic.twitter.com/WUhn9Ek7la
— Anand Iyer (@ai) October 7, 2016
That's right. The people want Colin Kaepernick. The former 49ers starter, who led the team to an NFC title four seasons ago, has not thrown a pass this season behind Gabbert. However, he has made his presence known by kneeling during the national anthem.
Kaepernick was actually booed by many 49ers fans during the team's first home game on Monday Night Football in Week 1, but winning cures everything. Or in this case, losing triggers unrest. Gabbert was 18-31 Thursday night with 162 passing yards, one touchdown pass, two interceptions, 70 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. The 49ers lost for the fourth straight time.
Gabbert has a 69.6 quarterback rating this season. Kaepernick has a career 88.5 rating, but in 2015, he had a career-low 78.5 rating in nine games.
Kaepenrick has been battling his own health after recovering from offseason should and thumb surgery, but head coach Chip Kelly is starting to hint at Kaepernick competing with Gabbert on the depth chart.
Chip Kelly says he's not discussing making a quarterback change tonight. "We're going to look at everything" on offense.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) October 7, 2016
Kelly has been supportive of Kaepernick's national anthem protest. He would give the quarterback even greater visibility by making him the starting quarterback.
And maybe, just maybe, the 49ers would win some more games.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.
