At best, it was a case of a quarterback adjusting to a new team, a new scheme and new teammates.
At worst, it was quite inauspicious.
No matter how you look at it, Blaine Gabbert had a rough go of it in his first game with the 49ers.
Gabbert, the Jaguars’ former starting quarterback, completed just 4-of-14 passes for 29 yards in Thursday night’s exhibition debut at Baltimore. He was intercepted once, with Ravens cornerback Asa Jackson picking off a pass intended for tight end Derek Carrier. Gabbert played most of the first half for the Niners, who pulled starter Colin Kaepernick after one series.
The Niners acquired Gabbert from Jacksonville in March. He is slated to make about $2 million in 2014, per NFLPA data. He played ahead of fellow reserve quarterbacks Josh Johnson and McLeod Bethel-Thompson on Thursday night.
The 49ers’ next preseason game is August 17 vs. Denver. And Gabbert’s form will be a storyline to monitor.