The 49ers regime change, at least at general manager and coach, is not expected to sway Colin Kaepernick and keep him from entering free agency.
Kaepernick’s exit has been almost a foregone conclusion since October, when his contract was revised and allows him or the 49ers to terminate the upcoming final season of his deal, when he’s owed a $14.5 million base salary.
Kaepernick has not officially opted out but he is still “expected” to do so, ESPN reported Friday.
The opt-out period is March 2-7, according to a league source. Free agency negotiations can begin March 7 and players officially can sign elsewhere starting at 1 p.m. on March 9.
Neither Kaepernick’s representatives nor the 49ers could confirm ESPN’s report. Kaepernick could re-sign with the 49ers after testing free agency for the first time in his career, though it’s unknown how receptive he or the 49ers would be to that.
After completing his sixth season with a New Year’s Day loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Kaepernick publicly kept open the possibility of his return, speaking of a revitalized relationship with 49ers executives Jed York and Paraag Marathe. Later that evening, the 49ers fired general manager Trent Baalke and coach Chip Kelly.
John Lynch, a former star safety and Fox Sports broadcaster, was hired Sunday as general manager, and Kyle Shanahan is expected to become coach after the Super Bowl, during which Shanahan will serve as the Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator.
Kaepernick is coming off a polarizing season known more for his national anthem protest, which brought intended attention to America’s issues with racial inequality and police misconduct.
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Kaepernick went 1-10 last season upon reclaiming the starting job from Blaine Gabbert, winning only the penultimate game at the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 24. For the first time in his six seasons, Kaepernick won the 49ers’ most prestigious team honor, the Len Eshmont Award, which teammates vote upon for leadership and courage.
Kaepernick’s 2016 stats were highlighted by career bests in interceptions percentage (1.2) and rushing average (6.8 yards per attempt). He completed 196 of 331 passes for 2,241 yards with 16 touchdown passes and four interceptions. He also ran for 468 yards and two touchdowns, including a fourth-quarter run (and game-winning two-point conversion) in the Dec. 24 win over the Rams.
Kaepernick is 28-30 all-time as the 49ers starter, first seizing that role during the 2012 season en route to a berth in Super Bowl XLVII, where the 49ers fell to the Baltimore Ravens. He is 4-2 in postseason action, including road wins at Atlanta for the 2012 season’s NFC Championship Green Bay as well as the 2013 season’s playoff visits to Green Bay and Carolina.
