As His Exit Looms, 49ers' Kaepernick Continues to Improve

When this season comes to an end, it’s more than likely that Colin Kaepernick will not be part of the 49ers’ plans for 2017.

The quarterback will become a free agent and the franchise – at this point – seems inclined to look for someone fresh at the position to build around.

But over his past two games, Kaepernick certainly has pumped a bit more life into the offense and demonstrated the strong arm, fast feet and sometimes electric playmaking ability he showed in his first seasons with the team.

In a 23-20 loss to the Cardinals Sunday, Kaepernick was 17-of-30 for 210 yards and a touchdown while also rushing 10 times for 55 yards and a TD. His quarterback rating was 89.6 The week before, in a 41-23 loss to the Saints, he was 24-of-39 for 398 yards and two TDs while rushing five times for 23 yards. His rating: 102.3.

The 49ers hadn’t scored 20 or more points in back-to-back games since the first two weeks of this season. The results were the same – two more losses in a 1-8 season – but Kaepernick has provided more of a spark than Blaine Gabbert.

Against the Cardinals, he led the 49ers on a late drive, scoring a touchdown with 2 minutes remaining to tie the game.

“I think he competed strongly,” said 49ers head coach Chip Kelly this week. “He did some good things. I thought he threw the ball pretty well. He missed a couple in the third quarter. I think I’ve got to do a better job getting him in a better position.”

Kaepernick showed an ability to throw on the move. Yet he also was hurt by some key drops.

However, there’s this, too: The analytic website Pro Football Focus noted that when the 49ers gave him solid protection he was terrific, hitting 15-of-23 attempts for 169 yards and a TD, with a 101.5 QB rating. When pressured he was just 2-of-7 for 24 yards and a 41.4 QB rating. He was, however, able to scramble out of trouble.

Wrote William Moy of Pro Football Focus: “When pressured, he fell apart.”

Still, after sitting for much of the season and missing the last half of the 2015 season, Kaepernick is showing signs of rebounding.

His tenure as a 49er, however, has probably just seven games remaining, no matter what he does, good or bad.

The 49ers take on the visiting New England Patriots this Sunday at 1:25 p.m.