/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48566559/usa-today-8113803.0.jpg)
Now that Chip Kelly is the head coach of the 49ers (still sounds weird), a lot of people are naturally talking about San Francisco's quarterback situation. There are some signs Kelly is really excited to work with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick:
Chip Kelly told #49ers in his interviews (plural) that he likes both Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert. Team, Kelly keeping options open.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 14, 2016
As he plotted potential moves & his next @NFL stop, Chip Kelly was trying to figure out how to trade for/sign Colin Kaepernick. No need now.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2016
Was told reliably that Chip Kelly considered trading for Kap, so assuming the salary makes sense the partnership could be really good.
— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) January 14, 2016
For what it's worth, Kaepernick had been connected to the Eagles multiples times while Kelly was still in Philadelphia. Many has pointed out how Kaepernick provides the mobile threat Kelly's offense lacked with the Eagles, outside of Michael Vick's brief stint at starting quarterback in 2013.
Others are not so convinced Kelly is a Kaepernick fan.
Despite reports Chip kelly did not want to trade for #49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. Chip was not a fan while with #eagles @FOX29philly
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) January 14, 2016
Just because Colin Kaepernick can run doesn't mean he's Chip Kelly's ideal QB. Kelly values repetitive accuracy above all for the position.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 14, 2016
Only time will tell if Kelly is truly committed to Kaepernick or not. In the meantime, it's hard not to wonder about this possibility:
No one talking about possibility that Chip cuts Colin Kaepernick & signs Bradford. Save money & get a guy he likes. Interesting possibility
— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) January 14, 2016
We don't know if Kelly likes Kaepernick for sure or not. We do know Kelly like Sam Bradford. The former Eagles coach traded a 2016 second round pick (along with Nick Foles) for the oft-injured quarterback last year. Kelly made it clear he wanted Bradford back on the Eagles in 2016 by saying: "We wouldn't have traded for [Bradford] if we thought he was going to be here for a year."
Bradford is going to be a free agent once the new league year starts. Perhaps the Eagles will let him walk to San Francisco if he's not in there plans. Or maybe the Eagles can franchise Bradford and hope to trade him to the 49ers. Deals like this aren't very common, but they're not unprecedented. The Patriots tagged Cassel before trading him for Kansas City's second round pick in 2009.
There's bound to be speculation about this possibility as the offseason progresses. It's something to consider.