The last starting quarterback Chip Kelly acquired is no longer an option with the 49ers.
The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a two-year contract extension with quarterback Sam Bradford, the team announced on Tuesday.
Last March, Kelly engineered a trade with the Rams to acquire Bradford in exchange for Nick Foles, who started 21 games in 2013 and ’14 under Kelly with the Eagles. Philadelphia went 10-6 in Kelly's first seasons, but fell to 6-9 last season before Kelly was fired.
Bradford might have been an option for the 49ers if he had made it to the free-agent market. In 14 starts with the Eagles last year, Bradford completed 65.0 percent of his passes with 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He had a passer rating of 86.4.
The 49ers head into the beginning of the new league year next week with uncertainty at quarterback. One day after 49ers general manager Trent Baalke promised Colin Kaepernick would remain on the roster, Kaepernick’s agents formally requested the 49ers give Kaepernick permission to seek a trade.
[MAIOCCO: No turning back: 49ers, Kaepernick destined to part ways]
Kaepernick, who is rehabbing from shoulder, thumb and knee surgeries in Colorado, is disenchanted with the 49ers organization, according to sources.
Those sources say that Kaepernick believes the organization did not follow through on promises to keep the team intact after he agreed to a contract extension in June 2014. Following his benching last season, Kaepernick believed the organization attempted to discredit his preparation and spoke negatively about his rapport with teammates in the locker room. Kaepernick is also upset over the team’s handling of the injuries he sustained during the 2015 season, sources say.
Baalke and Kelly spoke last week at the NFL Scouting Combine of their intention to have Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert compete for the 49ers' starting job.
