In past weeks, 49ers coach Jim Tomsula has stood behind Colin Kaepernick as the quarterback has struggled through his worst season as a pro.
On Monday, Tomsula seemed to change his tune, or at least alter it.
Asked if Kaepernick would remain the team's quarterback after a 27-6 loss to the Rams -- San Francisco's fifth defeat in six weeks -- Tomsula replied, "We're evaluating everyone."
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that 49ers players are divided about Kaepernick remaining the starter. This comes one week after CSN Bay Area reported that the team held a heated players-only meeting in September in which one player singled out Kaepernick and another teammate jumped to the quarterback's defense.
If a change is possible, it might be hard for Niners coaches to make a compelling case for Kaepernick based on his latest tape. He completed just 20 of 41 passes without a touchdown drive against the Rams, averaging just 4.0 yards per attempt. He also showed a glaring lack of field vision and awareness on a goal-line play that might have cost San Francisco a potentially game-changing score.
So you might be saying, "What's the delay? Bench Kap!" That's where the backup quarterback issue comes in.
Tomsula is caught between a rock and a hard place. Do you start the former franchise star who has regressed to a point where he's a weekly liability? Or do you turn to the backup, a former first-round pick who is considered by many to be one of the bigger draft busts in recent memory?
It's a pick-your-poison decision for a coach and team in dire straits.
UPDATE: Kaepernick has been informed he will be benched for Sunday's game against the Falcons, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Blaine Gabbert will be the starter.
