San Francisco 49ers want to extend Colin Kaepernick before camp
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the GQ Party in the Boom Boom Room at The Standard Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The extension talks between Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers is one of the biggest offseason storylines to watch for, especially since there is just about no way the 49ers allow their franchise quarterback to walk. He may have inconsistent accuracy and decision-making with struggles progressing through reads, but all of his issues are clearly coachable. Kaepernick has also produced at a high level over the past two seasons, as he was great down the stretch of the 2013 season when top wideout Michael Crabtree returned. Blessed with elite physical tools, Kaepernick as a rocket arm that shoots absolute lasers, and his rushing ability is arguably the best at the position, which continues to become more athletic.
49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh recently made the earth-shattering (sarcasm) statement that extending Kaep is a “high priority” for the team, and GM Trent Baalke gave us even more interesting news regarding the impending extension. According to CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco, Baalke stated that the 49ers would like to extend their star QB before training camp opens, “We’re going to work extremely hard, very diligently in trying to get something done prior to training camp. That’s the objective right now, as it stands.”
It would be a shock for both sides not to come to terms, but the 49ers might not get their wish if they are unable to pony up. Kaepernick is reportedly willing to play out the final year of his rookie deal in order to get the most amount of money possible in a long-term deal, so he’s only worried about getting a contract similar to Tony Romo instead of getting an extension done as quickly as possible.