Blaine Gabbert is the "heavy favorite" to win the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback job.

"He's loved in this locker room," Silver said of Gabbert. "He did a lot of good things last year and I'd be shocked if he's not the starter in the opener."

Gabbert is drawing comparisons to Alex Smith, who emerged later in his career.

Colin Kaepernick is recovering from three different offseason surgeries.