The San Francisco 49ers have struggled this season, and former franchise legend Jerry Rice believes benching Colin Kaepernick could do the team a lot of good.
Rice, the all-time touchdowns leader in NFL history, believes in Kaepernick long term, but he thinks a benching could serve as the reality check the quarterback needs.
“I am a true Kaepernick fan. 100 percent. I’m not saying bench him for the season, but sometimes you gotta shake things up. It could energize the team, and provide Colin the spark he needs,” Rice said via TMZ.
Rice explained how benchings can be productive for players and how struggles are not permanent.
“Look, when I came in, I struggled. I dropped balls. And I wasn’t used to that. But I had great people around me, and I got through it.”
Many thought the 49ers were going to bench Kaepernick after his poor outing against Seattle last week, but head coach Jim Tomsula stuck by his quarterback.
Kaepernick’s turnovers and passer rating this season are the worst since he became a starter in 2012, while the team is just 2-5. In four of those losses, Kaepernick failed to throw for more than 165 yards and had zero touchdowns. That’s just not going to get it done in the NFL. I would say a benching could be a good thing, but the 49ers won’t exactly be better off with Blaine Gabbert at the helm.
