Report: 49ers put QB Colin Kaepernick on trading block
Report: 49ers put QB Colin Kaepernick on trading block
Back in January, 49ers CEO Jed York said quarterback Colin Kaepernick was an unbelievable player that the team needed to put in a better position to make plays. It looks like that position might be elsewhere.
Per Jayson Braddock at KBME SportsTalk 790 in Houston, the 49ers are trying to trade Kaepernick, and the Eagles and Bears are reportedly already interested. The Eagles are expected to sign running back Frank Gore, and Kaepernick could join him in Philadelphia.
It is a shocking development, but Kaepernick's future in San Francisco came into question the moment Jim Harbaugh, his biggest supporter, was sent packing at the end of the season. The 49ers front office is obviously not completely sold on Kaepernick as their quarterback of the future, which is why they gave him a contract that provides very little guarantees.
If Kaepernick were traded today, the 49ers would be on the books for the $9,863,013 signing bonus, but none of the rest of the six-year, $114 million contract he signed last fall. Just exactly what the 49ers could get for Kaepernick is unknown, or how much interest Chip Kelly actually has in bringing him in.
Regardless, seeing news of his trade availability could strain Kaepernick's relationship with a front office seemingly ready to go in another direction at quarterback. New head coach Jim Tomsula has seen Kaepernick play, and general manager Trent Baalke and owner Jed York could be ready to pull the plug after seeing him slip in 2014.
What's more, the new offensive scheme being installed might not fit Kaepernick's skillset, even if offensive coordinator Geep Chryst was Kaepernick's former position coach. Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore are leaving in free agency as well.
It remains to be seen what the 49ers would do at quarterback if Kaepernick is traded, as they currently have no other signal caller on the roster.