San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears: Game Day Open Thread

The San Francisco 49ers are in the Windy City for a date with the Chicago Bears – this is your forum to talk about the game and all things 49ers.

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The San Francisco 49ers have made the trip out to Chicago to face the Bears. The 49ers, at 3-8, are essentially playing out the string on a lost season. The Bears though, at 5-6, are still technically alive in the NFC playoff race – though admittedly, their hopes are tenuous at best.

The big story coming out of 49ers headquarters is that beleaguered former starting quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, might not be as done in San Francisco/Santa Clarita as previously believed.

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kaepernick and the team’s brass met earlier this week to discuss the possibility of him returning in 2016. The team has demoted president Paraag Marathe, believing that he is the source of many of the anti-Kaepernick leaks to the media over the last few months. The meetings have been described as productive and better than the meetings held before Kaepernick’s benching and subsequent surgery.

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However, this is the 49ers and it wouldn’t be the 49ers without some drama. Kaepernick’s camp isn’t entirely sold on the idea that the team actually wants him back. Some within the quarterback’s inner circle seem to believe that the 49ers are only talking about bringing him back to keep his trade value up by making it seem as if the team isn’t ready to cut him loose.

Remember the days when the 49ers were the NFL’s model franchise and this sort of drama was unheard of?

Still, there’s a game to be played today. And the Bears still have something to play for though, which means that they’re going to come out swinging. Will the 49ers, with Blaine Gabbert under center be able to rise to the challenge?

The 49ers and Bears have met 32 times over the years and San Francisco holds an 18-13-1 advantage in the all time series. However, since 2000, the 49ers are just 4-5 against Chicago. The last time they met was in 2014 and ended in a 28-24 loss to the Bears.

With Gabbert under center, the 49ers are 1-2 and haven’t made any significant progress. If they’re going to get it done against the Bears, they’re going to have to do it without running back Carlos Hyde who is out again with a foot injury. They’ll also be without TE Garrett Celek, WR Jerome Simpson, WR DeAndrew White, CB Chris Davis, and G Brandon Thomas.

The Bears will be missing a few key pieces as well – WR’s Marquess Wilson and Eddie Royal are out. As is S Antrel Rolle .

Next: San Francisco 49ers: Previewing the Bears

It’s a big game for the Bears. They win, they keep their thin playoff hopes alive for another week. The 49ers can play the role of spoiler and all but stick a dagger in the heart of those hopes. Who’s going to come out on top?

Time to step up and sound off 49ers fans. This is your forum to discuss the game and all things 49ers. What are the most compelling storylines to you this week? How do you see this game turning out? Call your shot! Let’s hear from you!