Blaine Gabbert had probably his most efficient game of the season in the San Francisco 49ers’ loss on Sunday, but that isn’t saying much. While he completed almost 70 percent of his passes, Gabbert did throw a key interception late in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps it was that pass that resulted in him losing the support of some teammates.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report said Monday that he was told by “multiple sources” that 49ers players believe it is time for Colin Kaepernick to get a chance at the starting quarterback job. Despite that, Niners coach Chip Kelly once again defended Gabbert after the team’s third straight loss.
“I thought Blaine played well today, to be honest with you,” Kelly said, per Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. “Besides that one throw.”
That one pass was a backbreaker, as it came when the 49ers — trailing by four — had just set themselves up with great field position at their own 45-yard line on a 26-yard punt return from Jeremy Kerley. Gabbert severely underthrew a deep ball intended for Torrey Smith on the first play of the drive, and it was intercepted by Dallas Cowboys defensive back Morris Claiborne.
While it’s unclear if Smith is one of the players who wants Kaepernick to start, he was spotted throwing his helmet in frustration on the sideline after the Gabbert pick.
Kelly recently hinted that Kaepernick has not been given a chance to start because he is less than 100 percent healthy. Even Kaepernick himself admitted he needs to bulk up by eating more, as the 28-year-old made a major change to his diet about 10 months ago.
The 49ers players who want Kaepernick to start won’t be pleased about this report, but there’s only so many interceptions Gabbert can throw before Kelly is forced to make a change. Life won’t get any easier against the Arizona Cardinals next weekend.
