The 49ers used below-average numbers of quick outs, crossing routes and in-routes, according to Pro Football Focus, while relying on deeper corners and go routes more often. The running back screen was practically nonexistent. These are higher-risk, higher-reward routes.
Without the threat of the play action, defenses could spend more time keying in on Kaepernick, leading to an increase in pressure, leading to an increase in sacks.
Quite frankly, the lack of short crossing routes, screens and other hot routes showed an inability to react to the increased pressure Kaepernick was facing in 2014. Roman should have worked more safety valves like that into his offensive packages to give Kaepernick options other than chucking the ball 30 yards downfield against the pass rush.
Basically he did the best with what he was given.
Change things up front and play calling and you see a change in the sacks. There were plenty of times observers pointed out how the routes took too long to develop or at times the offensive line not being able to protect but still calling for 7 step drops etc.