SANTA CLARA — Chip Kelly is still in New Hampshire with family after the death of his father Paul, but the 49ers have already made their decision for who will start Week 14 against the New York Jets.
It’ll be Colin Kaepernick, per offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins.
Kaepernick was pulled in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 26-6 loss to the Chicago Bears. he completed 1/5 passes for 4 yards. Greg Cosell told KNBR that Kaepernick likely struggled in the weather do to his small hands.
Blaine Gabbert was purely used as a spark, and Modkins reaffirmed that on Tuesday. Modkins also said there have been no internal discussions to start Christian Ponder.
Kaepernick had been trending upwards the last four weeks, playing well in close losses to the Cardinals and the Dolphins — two of the better defenses in the NFL. His completion percentage still ranks last in the NFL.
A report surfaced before Sunday’s game that Kaepernick will opt out of his contract in 2017. But that report also assumed Kaepernick would continue playing at a high level.
Kaepernick will meet with the local media later on Tuesday in the locker room.