College Football at the University of Missouri

Gabbert was highly recruited coming out of high school and ultimately chose to play for the University of Missouri. Regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in his class, he played three seasons with the Tigers, from 2008 to 2010. During his college career, Gabbert overcame a foot injury that sidelined him for four games but still managed to produce impressive statistics. Rather than completing a fourth season, he declared for the NFL Draft in 2011.

Entry into the NFL and Time with Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert was selected 10th overall in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He signed a four-year contract worth approximately $12 million. Initially a backup, he was given the starting role after the Jaguars benched Luke McCown due to poor performance. Despite dealing with a toe injury, Gabbert started 14 games in his rookie season, becoming one of the youngest quarterbacks to do so in NFL history.

However, his early years in Jacksonville were marked by struggles. His performance was often criticized, though many analysts noted that the lack of a strong supporting cast hindered his development. Nevertheless, Gabbert occasionally showed flashes of promise that kept hopes alive for future improvement.

Move to San Francisco 49ers

In 2014, Gabbert was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a two-year contract valued at $2 million, which included a $500,000 signing bonus. His annual salary was approximately $2 million. Although he served mostly in a backup capacity early on, the move was seen as an opportunity for Gabbert to reset his career under new coaching and organizational support.

Jim Harbaugh, then head coach of the 49ers, remarked that Gabbert had yet to make a significant impact in the NFL but emphasized the quarterback’s raw talent and potential. At the time of this writing, Gabbert remained a part of the 49ers' roster.