The San Francisco 49ers have gotten off to a rocky start and in order to shake things up, the team announced Monday they will bench starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert.
Sources confirmed to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter that Gabbert will start this Sunday when the Niners take on the Atlanta Falcons at home. The swap follows the surprsing trade of tight end Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos.
The fall from grace has been swift for Kaepernick, who just three years ago lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance and made his second NFC championship appearance the following year. He was rewarded for his success with a contract extension in 2014 worth a potential $114 million.
San Francisco has gotten off to a 2-6 start this season and Kaepernick's play has been lackluster, drawing criticism from fans and analysts alike. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer recently said, "His confidence is completely shot. It's not that (the players) don't like him. But he's just alone, on an island in that locker room."
There is also speculation that Kaepernick may be traded. Gabbert was a first round draft pick in 2011 and Sunday will be his first start since 2013.