A split between the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh is pretty much a given at this point. What isn't so certain is what the 49ers will do with struggling quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The fourth-year signal caller has failed to complete more than 55.2 percent of his passes and totaled just 295 passing yards during San Fran's current two-game losing streak. Kaepernick has already thrown more interceptions this season (10) than in any other year and is on pace for his worst QBR (52.2) and passer rating (85.1) since becoming a full-time starter in 2012.
Harbaugh, while still in charge, is not considering a quarterback switch.
"It's in a rough patch the last couple games," Harbaugh said of the SF offense. "There are things to improve and correct... Colin's our quarterback."
General manager Trent Baalke also stood behind Kaepernick on Monday.
"You've seen, throughout his short career to this point, plenty of opportunity and plenty of signs where he's performed well in those situations," Baalke said on 95.7's The Game. "To hang it all on Kap is unfair.
"A lot goes into it to get an offense- the timing, rhythm, confidence, swagger to consistently move the ball. The defenses are getting better, and we've got to match up on that side of the ball, no doubt."
The 49ers appear to still believe in Kaepernick both in the short and long term. In fact, they plan to build around Kaepernick and tailor the offense to his specific abilities after this season.
"League insiders familiar with the situation in San Francisco expect the 49ers to replace Harbaugh and the offensive staff, at a minimum," ESPN's Mike Sando wrote. "The feeling is that embracing Kaepernick as a dual-threat quarterback will be a prerequisite for the team's next offensive coaches.
"Some think San Francisco will pursue a head coach and/or coordinator such as Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who worked with [Robert] Griffin in Washington and could become a head-coaching candidate after his work with the Browns this season. Scott Frost, the offensive coordinator at Oregon, also fits the profile of a coach who would likely embrace working with Kaepernick instead of pushing for a more traditional quarterback. Adam Gase was on the Denver Broncos' staff when the team adapted its offense for Tim Tebow, although Gase was not the coordinator at that time."
