With a new regime in San Francisco, it’s time for the 49ers to cut ties with QB Colin Kaepernick. Although Kaepernick had a resilient season in 2016, San Francisco needs a fresh start with a new quarterback.
It’s the two-minute warning and the San Francisco 49ers are on the 5-yard line. Facing a 2nd-and-goal, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has the ball in his hands.
Three straight incompletions later, the 49ers fall to the Baltimore Ravens in SB XLVII, 34-31.
At that moment, it seemed like the 49ers were in great shape for the future. A young, superstar quarterback in the making, tough-nosed defense led by future Hall of Fame linebackers, and a head coach that an entire region stood behind.
San Francisco 49ers
Yet four years removed from that Super Bowl run, the 49ers have since fired three head coaches, had players retire, changed general managers and lost numerous players in free agency.
Heading into this past season, the 49ers only had nine players from the Super Bowl XLVII roster.
The Downfall of Colin Kaepernick
Coming into training camp before the 2013 season, the 49ers were confident they could be back in New Jersey for Super Bowl XLVIII. In his first full season as starter, Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 12-4 record and a wild-card berth.
To the pain of 49ers’ fans, a tipped ball in the back corner of the end zone in Seattle ended the 49ers chances of another Super Bowl berth. Was that Kaepernick’s peak that everyone just witnessed? Had he maximized his potential already in his short career?
These were all questions that plagued Kaepernick as he headed into his fourth NFL season. But with then head coach Jim Harbaugh riding shotgun with Kaepernick, the 49ers QB refused to back down.
After a tumultuous season in 2014, that ended in an 8-8 record and Harbaugh being fired, the writing was on the wall that Kaepernick was done in SF.
Under Jim Tomsula, Kaepernick started the season 2-6 before he was benched for QB Blaine Gabbert. The player that Ron Jaworski thought could be the greatest QB ever was now playing backup quarterback for a team headed for a top-10 pick.
After trade speculations to Denver and Kaepernick’s reported refusal to take a pay cut, he was back with San Francisco. Due to Kaepernick’s offseason surgeries, Gabbert began the 2016 season as the starter. Ex-HC Chip Kelly had no choice but to turn back to Kaepernick after an abysmal 1-4 record.
Kaepernick didn’t do much better than Gabbert, as the 49ers finished the season 1-10. With the 49ers hiring Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, is Kaepernick on the way out the door?
Earlier in the 2016 season, Kaepernick and the 49ers agreed to a restructure of his contract. This took out the last four years of his current deal. Instead, Kaepernick had a two year deal with a player option on the second year.
With the deadline to opt out coming up, rumors of what the 49ers and Kaepernick will do are flying.
Word around the League
The first report came from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, who stated Kaepernick will opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Many thought that this was expected because this was the reason he restructured his contract earlier in the season.
After the Introductory press conference, reports began to surface Shanahan and Lynch would be open to keeping Kaepernick. Lynch stated he had reached out to Colin and that Shanahan will evaluate him just like every other player.
Then, earlier this week on KNBR (h/t Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee), Shanahan had this to say:
Kyle Shanahan on @KNBR said he's talked (presumably on the phone) and texted with Colin Kaepernick, but no meeting yet,
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) February 17, 2017
Although it may seem like Shanahan is starting to warm up to the idea of Kaepernick, it seems more like the 49ers are trying to quietly push him out the door.
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Word inside the Locker Room
As important as it is Kaepernick has the support of the coaching staff, it’s equally vital that he has the backing of his teammates.
LB NaVorro Bowman spoke on KNBR earlier this week and had this to say when asked about Kaepernick:
"I mean, I have one question for him [Colin Kaepernick], do you want to be here? And, if the answer is yes, then come present that and show us that and come lead us the way that we know you know how. You’ve done it before and that’s why so much support has come your way and even when you had bad games or bad seasons because we’ve seen you do it. So if you want to be here, then show that you want to be here."
Now that’s not a real endorsement of Kaepernick is it? As a leader in the locker room, many would think Bowman would fully throw his support for Kaepernick’s return to the team. But he decides to turn the question back at Kaepernick.
Immediately, FS Eric Reid was asked the same question and here’s his response:
"I would love to have him. I’ve grown close to Colin [Kaepernick] this past year and I know the player that he’s capable of being. The coaches talked about stability in an offense, knowing that you can be coached and not have to worry about the politics behind it and I think it would be great for him. We’ll just have to see what happens."
That’s more of how a teammate would stand behind is quarterback, but is the same sentiment expressed across the other 52 guys on that roster? Reid seems to have a special relationship with Kaepernick from this past season. Reid even joined Kaepernick to take a knee during the National Anthem.
Final Thoughts on Kaepernick
With Lynch and Shanahan, there is optimism in Santa Clara that the 49ers can eventually be turned back into a contender. The 49ers’ front office has a blank slate for a roster and will need to build this team from the ground up.
There are no bad contracts and no players that the 49ers cannot get rid of. At this juncture, the 49ers need to start over at quarterback and give Shanahan the time to find his man.
The quarterback of the future is currently not in the building for the 49ers. Thus, there is no reason for Kaepernick to come back and be a “bridge” QB.
On the other hand, in order for Kaepernick to succeed, he needs a solid roster around him. He needs a good defense, offensive-minded head coach and stable front office to succeed. At this time, the 49ers cannot offer all of those things.
Kaepernick, since he took his first start against Chicago, has been a roller-coaster ride. He’s given fans many unforgettable moments. Including the comeback in Super Bowl XLVII and the 181-yard rushing performance against Green Bay in the playoffs.
Although there aren’t any enamoring options in the draft or free agency, there are some serviceable options at a cheaper price than Kaepernick. The 49ers can choose to go the draft and veteran backup route. Or on the other hand, can trade the farm away for Jimmy Garappolo or Kirk Cousins.
Next: 49ers: Why San Francisco Should Avoid QB Mitch Trubisky
But for now, it’s time for the 49ers and Kaepernick to mutually part ways.
As always, make sure to give me a follow @akashanav and let me know what you’re thinking!