Geep Chryst, who has been promoted from quarterbacks coach to 49ers offensive coordinator, is defending Colin Kaepernick's disappointing 2014 season. Many critics feel that Kaepernick regressed throughout the year.
"Last year, you're playing with some different sets of challenges," Chryst told the San Jose Mercury News. "There was more change within the offensive line than he had experienced the last couple of years. How does that affect your production as a quarterback? You're behind more often in games. How does that affect your production as a quarterback? You plug that back into his formula, he really wasn't ... he didn't regress off his line as much as perceived."
Kaepernick improved his completion percentage and had his career high in passing yards. However, he tossed more interceptions, fewer touchdowns and took 13 more sacks than he did during the previous season.
It sounds like Chryst is blaming San Francisco's offensive line and some poorly-timed penalties for these struggles.
Despite his struggles, new additions wide receiver Torrey Smith and running back Reggie Bush should help Kaepernick shoulder the load heading into 2015.
