49ers Restructure Colin Kaepernick’s Deal?

SATURDAY, 9:30am: Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter) has some details on Kaepernick’s new contract.

$2MM in future potential bonuses will now be guaranteed, which is a significant payday for the quarterback. Furthermore, the new contract now features several incentives that are connected to playing time.

FRIDAY, 5:50pm: This is “far from a done deal,” tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Maiocco notes that it could still happen, however.

3:05pm: The 49ers and Colin Kaepernick have reached agreement on a restructuring of his contract, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (Twitter links).

Colin Kaepernick (vertical)

The new deal should alleviate concerns regarding the quarterback’s injury guarantees. Meanwhile, it will also give Kaepernick an opportunity to void his deal after this season should he outperform his contract. The deal effectively does away with No. 7’s guarantees in 2017 and could cut off the final three years of the pact. It will also allow the 49ers to receive a compensatory pick if Kaepernick voids the contract and signs elsewhere during the offseason, per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (Twitter link).

The reworked deal could signal that the team is benching Blaine Gabbert and installing Kaepernick as the new starter. However, there is no official word on that front.

Gabbert is coming off of a disappointing game against the Cardinals and coach Chip Kelly has left the door open to a quarterback change. Kaepernick, the one-time starter in SF, has been a lightning rod for controversy this year. Now, he has an opportunity to make headlines again for his play on the field and not his actions on the sideline.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

View Comments (12)