Colin Kaepernick arrived unexpected on the NFL scene in 2012 and virtually took the football world by storm. It's not every quarterback that reaches his first Super Bowl before he turn 26 years old, after all. In his three seasons as a starter, his completion percentage has always been around 60. His rushing totals, however, have increased every season. Kaepernick finished the 2014 season with a career- high 104 rushing attempts for 639 yards (6.1 average), and although the 49ers failed to finish above .500 for the first time in his young career as a starter, the new coaching staff clearly liked what it saw.
The plan for San Fran's offense in 2015 is to leverage Kaepernick's above average mobility to create some explosive plays via the read-option. Kaepernick has run this type of offense in the past, but new head coach Jim Tomsula and offensive coordinator Geep Chryst want Kaepernick to use his young legs even more as opposed to restraining him to a strict pocket.
"A significant change in 2015 figures to be a return to the read-option," Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote. "The degree to which it will be used is unknown, but coach Jim Tomsula and CEO Jed York have mentioned in recent interviews that the 49ers will take better advantage of Kaepernick's legs.
"...The new version will be intended to be more simple and streamlined. It will get to the line of scrimmage more quickly and put more pressure on defenses. The theme will be that it will allow playmakers to make plays, and the overall hopes is that under the likable and energetic Tomsula, the 49ers will operate with a Seattle-like swagger and spark."
The read-option helped to make on-field and fantasy stars out of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (in his rookie season) and running back Alfred Morris as well as the Seahawks Russell Wilson. The hope is that is a greater emphasis of the read-option will do the same to San Fran's skill position players and its QB after a down season in 2014.
"The 49ers built some protections into their contract with Kaepernick, but they will almost certainly return with him as their starting quarterback in 2015 (the seasons beyond that are less of a certainty)," ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando wrote. "They need to take a hard look at what can be done to reverse his recent slide in production. It seems pretty clear Kaepernick is at his best in an offense that emphasizes the running game - including his own running abilities. The new staff will need to embrace that. The 49ers also need to help Kaepernick overcome psychological hurdles against Seattle. Kaepernick has three touchdown passes, nine interceptions and 18 sacks while going 1-5 as a starter against the Seahawks."
