San Francisco 49ers Roster Predicted Colin Kaepernick Decision
By Erik Lambert
There is no doubt it was a fun topic of conversation as the 2016 NFL off-season began. Trades tend to be that way but in truth the San Francisco 49ers should never have been taken seriously in the supposed rumors they were about to deal former starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
April 1 deadline, when Colin Kaepernick's $11.9 million salary becomes guaranteed, is moot. 49ers are not releasing him before then.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2016
Aside from his hefty contract, which has since kicked in another big guarantee, there was another big reason by the team chose to balk at dealing him. They are in no position to draft a rookie quarterback. For all the offensive expertise Chip Kelly brings, he is like any other coach. He can’t win without talent, and the 49ers offense has watched a once loaded unit deplete to a significant extent the past few seasons.
Joe Staley is the lone remaining mainstay on their offensive line. Others like Mike Iupati and Anthony Boone have left for other teams, leaving behind unproven or underwhelming replacements. It doesn’t get much better at the skill positions either. Anquan Boldin is gone. That leaves Torrey Smith, Quinton Patton and Bruce Ellington as their three most notable receivers. Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek are the top two options at tight end, neither of them near what Vernon Davis was in his prime.
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This team needs a reload on offensive talent in the worst way. Can they really be expected to discard a mobile player like Kaepernick who has experience and just throw an unprepared rookie into the fire? History says they’d be asking for trouble. If they are set on drafting another quarterback, it makes more sense for them to pursue a developmental option in later rounds.
It’s likely the intent was always by GM Trent Baalke to explore the high potential of a Chip Kelly-Colin Kaepernick union. The lack of progress on any trade talks is further evidence of that. Don’t expect it to change.