Record 2–14 Playoff finish Did not qualify Head coach Chip Kelly General manager Trent Baalke | Division place 4th NFC West Pro Bowlers None Owner Jed York Home field Levi's Stadium | |
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Similar 2015 San Francisco 49ers sea, Uis gara, 1990 San Francisco 49ers sea, 1989 San Francisco 49ers sea, 2016 Tampa Bay Buccane | ||
The 2016 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 67th season in the National Football League, the 71st overall, the third playing its home games at Levi's Stadium, and the only season under head coach Chip Kelly. The season saw the 49ers attempting to rebound from their 5–11 record the previous year. However, this season would prove to be even worse than the previous, as the 49ers finished 2–14, with their only wins coming against their arch-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers' record is their worst since 2004, when they also finished 2–14, and when both wins were against the Arizona Cardinals. The 49ers' 1–7 home record tied the worst home record in franchise history (not including the strike shortened 1982 season). As a result, the 49ers fired head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke.
Contents
- Coaching changes
- Free agency
- Draft
- Preseason
- Schedule
- Week 5 vs Arizona Cardinals
- Week 6 at Buffalo Bills
- Week 12 at Miami Dolphins
- Week 16 at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 17 vs Seattle Seahawks
- References
The season was notable when Colin Kaepernick sat during the National Anthem in a preseason game against San Diego. Despite the distraction, Kaepernick was named starter for Week 6.
Coaching changes
After the season ended, the 49ers fired Jim Tomsula as head coach. On January 14, 2016, the 49ers hired Kelly as their head coach. Kelly had spent the previous three seasons as head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and was fired after a disappointing 7-9 Eagles season.
Free agency
The 49ers entered free agency with the following:
Draft
Notes
^[a] The 49ers traded their second-, fourth- and sixth-round selection (Nos. 37, 105 and 178 overall) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for their first- and seventh-round selection (Nos. 28 and 249 overall). ^[b] The 49ers acquired an additional fifth-round selection as part of a trade that sent their 2015 first-round selection to the San Diego Chargers. ^[c] The 49ers acquired a sixth-round selection in a trade that sent their 2015 seventh-round selection to the Dallas Cowboys. ^[d] The 49ers traded tight end Vernon Davis and their 2016 seventh-round selection to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the Broncos' 2016 sixth-round and 2017 sixth-round selections.Preseason
The 49ers' preseason opponents and schedule were announced April 7, 2016.
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers wore their black alternate uniforms for this game as part of Color Rush.
Week 6: at Buffalo Bills
Days prior to Week 6, it was confirmed by Chip Kelly that Colin Kaepernick will start in place of Blaine Gabbert. This was Kaepernick's first start of the season.
Week 12: at Miami Dolphins
With the loss, the 49ers were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention for the third consecutive season. An attempted rally by the 49ers was stopped short of the end zone in the final seconds.
Week 16: at Los Angeles Rams
With the win, the 49ers snapped their 13-game losing streak and swept the Rams on the season, while going 0–13 against the rest of the league. With the Cleveland Browns standing 0–14 before this week, the 49ers win also ended the possibility of two teams finishing 1–15 for the first time since the NFL moved to a 16-game season in 1978
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
With the loss, the 49ers ended their season 2–14, their worst record since 2004.