Blaine Gabbert has come a long way in 2015, and he’d like to carry that momentum into 2016.
Though there are a cloud of question marks hanging over the 49ers as they approach their final game of the season Sunday against the Rams – particularly about the head coach and former No. 1 quarterback Colin Kaepernick – Gabbert wants to end his season on a positive note Sunday.
Though the 49ers could turn back to Kaepernick, draft a quarterback or sign or trade for one, Gabbert wants to make the case that he should be in the mix for the job in 2016.
“It’s huge to build momentum going into the offseason program, momentum into next season,” Gabbert told Taylor Price of 49ers.com this week. “You want to end the year strong. You want to hang your hat on something positive and it’s a big game for a lot of people. We’re just focused on today, going out there, putting this game plan together, getting good work in practice and carrying that over to Sunday.”
Gabbert hasn’t played like a Pro Bowler in his seven starts since taking over for Kaepernick, and the team has gone just 2-5. But he’s been far better than expected. No longer is he the helpless-looking player who was booed out of Jacksonville.
He’s completed 150-of-238 throws (63 percent) for 1,677 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s been sacked 24 times, but shown an ability to make plays with his feet and buy extra time while setting up behind a shaky offensive line.
His quarterback rating of 86.1 is the best of his five years in the league and far above his career mark of 71.3.
Sports
His career, once considered done, has been revived. Veteran wideout Anquan Boldin said this month that Gabbert could be the team’s QB going forward.
“You don’t play the way that he’s been playing just by luck,” Boldin told reporters, adding that Gabbert “can throw the ball with the best of them.”
Going into Sunday’s game, Gabbert says he’s been mostly happy with his ability to avoid the kind of mistakes he made in Jacksonville. His interception percentage is down and he’s been playing smarter football.
But, he said, “At the end of the day, I’ve got to do more to win games.”
The 4-10 49ers take on the 7-8 Rams at Levi’s Stadium at 1:25 p.m.
