Colin Kaepernick is keeping his starting job after getting benched during one of the worst performances of his career.
San Francisco offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins said Tuesday that the embattled quarterback will start when the 49ers (1-11) host the Jets (3-9) on Sunday. Kaepernick completed only one pass in three quarters in a 26-6 loss to the Bears on Sunday.
Kaepernick was removed from the game for Blaine Gabbert in the fourth quarter after taking five sacks and completing one pass, which came midway through the second quarter.
"We just decided during the game to try to see if Blaine could give us a spark, and Kap's been the starter," Modkins said. "It's nothing other than that."
San Francisco finished with only 6 net yards passing after the weather dictated a heavy reliance on the running game. Gabbert completed four of his 10 attempts for 35 yards and took a safety after the game was out of hand.
"I was just watching how the ball was coming off [Kaepernick's] hands and what our chances were of completing it," 49ers coach Chip Kelly said.
Jets go with Petty
Jets coach Todd Bowles was toeing the fine line between trying to win games and preparing for the future.
So, about two to three weeks ago, Bowles decided that if his team's playoff hopes were over, he would turn to Bryce Petty at quarterback for the final four games and send Ryan Fitzpatrick to the sideline.
