The two candidates have stark differences, in style, pedigree, career accomplishments, recent performances, and offseason desire to play for the 49ers. But Blaine Gabbert, a failed first-round pick who has positioned himself to become the starter, and Colin Kaepernick, a second-rounder-turned-Super-Bowl-starter-turned-one-of-the-best-ever-turned-disappointment-turned-trade-bait, are in a legitimate and genuine quarterback competition.
Via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins says the battle for the starting job is “just getting started.”
“Kap’s done a good job. He was very visible in the spring, he was around here, doing all he could do,” Modkins said, referring to the fact that Kaepernick wasn’t cleared to practice in the offseason.
“He’s done all we’ve asked him to do so far,” Modkins added. “The competition is really just getting started. I’ve seen him from afar for a long time. He’s a good player. And I think he’s right on track.”
It’s a surprising turn of events, given that Kaepernick wanted out and the team accommodated his wanderlust by letting him meet twice with the Broncos. Forced together by a fully-guaranteed $12 million salary that no one wanted to assume and that Kaepernick didn’t want to reduce, the ingredients have been placed in the bowl and both sides are hoping that, when the mixing is done, chicken salad may emerge.