49ers Bench Colin Kaepernick, Starting Blaine Gabbert

According to Kyle McLorg of BayAreaSportsGuy.com, the 49ers have decided to bench QB Colin Kaepernick in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert.

• McLorg source said that big change was coming for the 49ers on Tuesday, and confirmed that there was going to be at quarterback.
• Ian Rapoport has confirmed the report and adds that the players were split on the decision while the front office held out as long as they could before making the move to Gabbert.

This, of course, means Gabbert will be start their Week 9 game against the Falcons on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, Jason Cole of B/R received text messages from two 49ers’ players following Sunday’s loss to the Rams that said they believe it’s time to bench Kaepernick.

According to the two players, Sunday’s was loss was the tipping point in a situation that has been building for some time now.

Cole’s sources mentioned that they think Kaepernick could be a part of the team’s long-term plans, but benching him would allow him to clear his head.

49ers HC Jim Tomsula was evasive when asked if Kaepernick was going to remain the team’s starter after continued struggles, and said that they’re “evaluating everything right now.”

“We’re evaluating everything right now,” Tomsula said. “So, we’re in the middle of it right now. I don’t have any comments on any position on our field right now. We are evaluating everybody.”

Kaepernick, 27, is in the second year of his seven-year, $126.97 million contract that included $61 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $12.4 million for the 2015 season.

While those numbers are impressive on their own, the contract is essentially a pay-as-you-go agreement that includes ways for San Francisco to walk away with limited repercussions.

$14 million of Kaepernick’s deal will become guaranteed in April of next year, which gives San Francisco ample time to consider all of their available options. It’s worth mentioning that parting ways with Kaepernick would create $7 million in dead money for the 49ers.

In eight games this season, Kaepernick has thrown for 1,615 yards while completing 59.3 percent of his passes to go along with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also added 228 yards rushing and a touchdown.