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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Biggest Mistakes the Team Made This Offseason

By Trevor Irvine

January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke addresses the media in a press conference after naming Chip Kelly (not pictured) as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 20, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke addresses the media in a press conference after naming Chip Kelly (not pictured) as the new head coach for the 49ers at Levi's Stadium Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws the ball during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws the ball during minicamp at the San Francisco 49ers Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Kaepernick should have been traded

This one was a real tossup, as both the positive and negative sides to quarterback Colin Kaepernick are as clear as day.

We all know what a healthy and confident Kaepernick can do on the football field. We also know what an unhealthy and shaky Kaepernick can do on the field.

There are not too many footballers who have fallen from grace as quickly as Kaepernick. From being a part of a Super Bowl playing team to being benched last season to a career underachiever in Blaine Gabbert, his football career has taken the full spectrum.

The key question today is whether we have already seen the best from Kaepernick. He performed well when paired with Harbaugh, but he bombed under the clueless Tomsula.

Now he has another offensive mind in Chip Kelly. He seems in agreement the effect Kelly can have on his career. How he feels about the Niners organization and Baalke is another matter entirely. His recent press conference at the end of minicamp was encouraging, but anyone can act in a media event — how does he do on the field, where it really matters?

After he requested a trade, there were only two serious suitors in the Cleveland Browns (who then signed RGIII and pulled out), and the Denver Broncos. Reportedly the Broncos wanted him to take a fairly sizable pay cut. We never heard what the Broncos were offering back in a trade, though a various round draft pick was oft mentioned.

The issue is going to be if Kaepernick has another miserable 2016 season, and his trade value plummets to nothing. His contract structure absorbs some of the pain. But you cannot just release him for nothing in return.

Perhaps Baalke could have called a few more teams. Maybe he could have asked Kaepernick to restructure his contract in preparation for a trade. Maybe all of this won’t matter when he blows up the 2016 season and throws 20 plus touchdowns and runs for more.

Let’s just hope the trade ship hasn’t permanently sailed. It would be fantastic if we never need it back. But only time will tell us.

Next: Anquan Boldin should have been brought back