With Colin Kaepernickstill rehabbing from a rash of offseason surgeries, Blaine Gabbert is making the most of his snaps in San Francisco.
"He's definitely taking control," tight end Garrett Celek said of Gabbert, per CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. "Whoever's at quarterback needs to take control and be our leader out there. And he's definitely doing that. He's making good decisions on the field."
Both Gabbert and Kaepernick are tasked with learning coach Chip Kelly's offense from scratch, leaving Celek to say of Gabbert: "I think he's definitely developing more and more as the days go on. But, right now, we're all in the same boat learning this offense."
Veteran guard Zane Beadles had never met Gabbert, but told Maiocco that he received a text from the former Jaguars passer upon signing with the Niners.
"He carries himself very well in the locker room," Beadles said. "He seems like a true professional. He's always in there studying and he knows what we're trying to accomplish and what he needs to do at the quarterback position. I've seen all good things from him."
Celek said Gabbert has "absolutely" taken charge, noting that "everyone has a good relationship with him, and him motivating us is good."
It's quite a rebound for Gabbert, laughed off the stage in Jacksonville as one of the club's most notable draft busts. He played well in place of Kaepernick last season, though, showing plus athleticism and better decision-making.
"(I'm) impressed with Blaine," Kelly said in March. "You watch him the last couple of games he started. He's another guy, you look at his skill set. He took off against the Bears and went (44) yards for a touchdown. He ran 4.61 in the combine when he was coming out."
Said Kelly: "He's big. I'd never really dealt with Blaine because he came into the league before I came into the league, but just how big and physical and impressive he is. He's a 6-4, 245-pound guy that can really run. I thought the last part of the season he played really well. It'll be intriguing to work with him, too."
Where Gabbert has emerged as a take-charge workhorse, Kaepernick just spent the offseason seeking a trade out of town.
Kelly certainly noticed, and so did the locker room.
