On a day when NFL players are putting people on about retiring or being released, Chip Kelly sounds an awful lot like he’s telling an April Fool’s joke.
The 49ers coach told CSN Bay Area that the talent on his offense doesn’t need to be upgraded.
“There’s good depth there, without seeing them all run around physically,” Kelly said.
That’s a good one.
The 49ers ranked 31st in yards per game and dead last in total points last season. Pro Football Focus ranked their offensive line 27th. Their top two quarterbacks are Blaine Gabbert, who’s 8-27 in his career as a starter, and the enigmatic Colin Kaepernick.
Torrey Smith is their most accomplished receiver currently under contract. Behind him are unproven commodities such as Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington and DeAndrew White. Tight ends Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek and Blake Bell have 82 career receptions combined.
San Francisco’s rushing attack wasn’t much better. Carlos Hyde led the team with 470 yards but played in only seven games because of a foot injury. Take away his 168-yard performance in Week 1 and he averaged less than 3.4 yards per carry.
Anquan Boldin and Reggie Bush remain unsigned. All the 49ers have done in free agency is sign guard Zane Beadles after losing Alex Boone to the Vikings.
It’s laughable to think that this team that went 5-11 last season doesn’t need significant improvements on offense. It’s even funnier that Kelly expects us to believe that after all the tinkering he did in Philadelphia, he’s content to stand pat in San Francisco.