The San Francisco 49ers have named Blaine Gabbert their starting quarterback for a Week 11 game against the Seattle Seahawks. Gabbert replaced Colin Kaepernick as the starter in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons and led the team to a 17-16 victory, but head coach Jim Tomsula wouldn't commit to him as the starter going forward following the game.
Blaine Gabbert named 49ers starter for Week 11 vs. Seahawks
Jim Tomsula named Blaine Gabbert the starter for the team’s next game, and Colin Kaepernick will have to watch another one from the sidelines.
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Tomsula met with the quarterbacks on Monday afternoon and informed them that Gabbert will start against the NFC West rival Seahawks, according to the team.
Gabbert didn’t have a huge game against the Falcons and did little to really distinguish himself from Kaepernick, but the latter has already had multiple chances. Gabbert did get the team a win, completing 15 of 25 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions.
Kaepernick was given a big contract last year, but his play has dropped off, beginning last season. His accuracy is down, he looks lost in the pocket, and he has been careless with the football. He has played in nine games this season, completing 144 of 244 passes for 1,615 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
His stats are not terrible, but given his basic mechanical mistakes, his benching was probably a good decision by Tomsula and the 49ers.
Gabbert has a career completion percentage of 53.4 percent, with 25 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. The Atlanta game was his first start since the 49ers traded for him last season. He was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
The 49ers have a bye for Week 10 before the road game against the Seahawks on Nov. 22.
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