8. Should 49ers be worried about Kaepernick as their quarterback of the future?
There have been times when Kaepernick has looked like he’ll be the next great athlete to play quarterback in the NFL, much like Cam Newton and the 2012 version of RGIII, who struck fear in opposing defenses. But while good Kaepernick has shown up in the postseason, bad — or perhaps mediocre — Kaepernick has been at the helm of the Niners for most of this season.
Kaepernick has completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 2,736 yards and 15 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions in 2014. In addition, he’s accounted for 353 yards rushing.
Compared to his career numbers as a starter, Kaepernick has not made the progress many had expected. Kaepernick has similar completion percentages in 2012 and 2013, and he’s already matched his season-high mark in interceptions. He’ll likely come close to the 21 touchdown passes he threw a year ago.
If Jim Harbaugh does in fact leave San Francisco at the end of the season, it’s not out of the realm of possibility the organization goes in a different direction with its quarterback. Kaepernick is Harbaugh’s guy, and thus far, he has not developed into a franchise quarterback.
