49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a miserable game in last Sunday’s loss to the Panthers, completing 11-of-22 passes for 91 yards and an interception in a game that saw the 49ers produce their least net offensive yards since 2006.
Kaepernick was criticized in many corners following the game, but 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh wasn’t willing to add his voice to the chorus on Monday. Harbaugh was asked multiple times about Kaepernick’s struggles and always responded by saying the entire offensive unit needed to improve for the 49ers to have better results in the future.
“Across the board, we take accountability,” Harbaugh said, via the San Jose Mercury News. “We’re not going to go through, dissect position-by-position, raking anybody over the coals. That’s not the best thing for us. We’ve got a tough game coming up. We’re not going to wallow in it.”
There are plenty of reasons to cite for the downturn of the 49ers passing game this season, including Kaepernick’s play, but there’s not much for Harbaugh to gain by making public declarations of blame for them on the day after a game. The fixes will have to come from within and they’ll have to come quickly as Sunday’s trip to New Orleans will be here before you know it.