49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has struggled mightily in 2015 and some have speculated that the club could turn to backup Blaine Gabbert if things don’t improve quickly. However, CEO Jed York tells Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) that the team plans on being “very patient” with Kaepernick. The team, York says, wants to see if the QB can handle going through a bad slump and if he can rebound, that will be a promising sign for them with regards to his overall future.
In the past two weeks, the 27-year-old (28 in November) has completing just 22-of-44 passes while throwing five interceptions and no touchdowns. Weeks ago, head coach Jim Tomsula said that the club would not consider going from Kaepernick to Gabbert, but that seems like it could be a definite possibility if things do not turn around. The 49ers are 1-3 heading into a Sunday night matchup with the 2-2 Giants on the road.
The seven-year, $126MM extension Kaepernick signed last summer was, for all practical purposes, a $13MM signing bonus accompanied by seven one-year contracts. That means San Francisco could cut ties with the QB in the offseason without any real financial penalty. Kaepernick is set to carry a cap number of ~$16.8MM in 2016 and that number balloons to $19MM+ in 2017.
Cut him at the end of the year. Hope to get Connor cook or goff. Or get a BETTER OLINE
Maybe you upgrade your o-line? Of you thought Kap was bad behind it wait until Gabbert steps behind it.
Fortunately for Kaepernick, Gabbert’s presence provides ample job security to go along with his contract. The fact that this could become a developmental year quickly for the 49ers only bolsters this.