Colin Kaepernick Comments on Being Benched as 49ers Starting QB

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was benched prior to the team's Week 9 showdown with the Atlanta Falcons, and the fifth-year signal-caller doesn't appear to be pleased with head coach Jim Tomsula's rationale.

When Tomsula announced Blaine Gabbert would take over for Kaepernick on Wednesday, the Niners boss told reporters he was affording Kaepernick an opportunity to "step back and breathe and look at things through a different lens," according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. 

Kaepernick, though, viewed things differently. 

"I'm not out of breath, so I don't understand that reference," the quarterback said, per ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez.

Through San Francisco's first eight games, Kaepernick completed just 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions as the 49ers posted a 2-6 record. 

However, the shaky start evidently didn't faze him. 

"I don't believe in pressure," Kaepernick said, per Gutierrez. "Pressure is not being prepared for what you want to do. To me, I've played full seasons and had success. Mentally, I've been through it before. I'm not incapable of going through this."

Another point of contention revolved around Kaepernick's on-field approach. 

According to Gutierrez, offensive coordinator Geep Chryst indicated that Kaepernick started approaching his play in the pocket with more discretion following a disastrous Week 3 outing against the Arizona Cardinals. 

"I don't believe that's accurate," Kaepernick said, according to Gutierrez. "Every time I step on the field, I step on the field to make plays, so that's just a matter of opinion."

It would be hard to blame Kaepernick for flinching at the sight of pressure or playing with a more conservative mindset, given the lack of stability San Francisco has had up front all season. 

Through eight games, he was sacked 28 times—tied for the second most in the NFL. And considering Kaepernick was also sacked 52 times last season, some skittish behavior in the pocket would be understandable.

Gabbert takes the reins in the middle of a tough part of the schedule. Next on the docket are the Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Cardinals.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News wrote the following about the Niners' predicament:

"

Kaepernick has been so bad and the 49ers offense has been so bad that at this point probably the only other way to measure Kaepernick is to make him the placebo and see if Gabbert can cure the offense to any meaningful degree. If the 49ers’ offense improves under Gabbert for any sustained period of time, that’s it, Kaepernick is done as a 49er.

"

But with running back Carlos Hyde (foot) already ruled out for Sunday and wide receiver Anquan Boldin (hamstring) listed as doubtful, per Gutierrez, the possibility exists for things to get worse for the 49ers as Gabbert attempts to salvage his career.