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Colin Kaepernick Switching Agents

February 13th, 2017 at 6:47pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has parted ways with XAM Sports, the agency that had represented him since he entered the NFL in 2011, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. It’s currently unknown which agency Kaepernick will tab to replace XAM, but it’s clear someone else will negotiate his next contract if he opts out of his current deal in the coming weeks.

Colin Kaepernick

As a client of XAM, Kaepernick inked a six-year, $114MM extension with the 49ers in 2014, when he and the franchise were among the NFL’s upper echelon. Kaepernick’s on-field output has gone downhill in the three seasons since, and the 49ers have cratered over the past two years in the wake of former head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s exit.

The Niners won just two games last season and will try to turn around their fortunes with a rookie general manager, John Lynch, and a first-time head coach, Kyle Shanahan. Those two will have a decision to make at quarterback, where they could target an upgrade over Kaepernick, who is facing a March 2 deadline to opt out of his contract. Lynch spoke glowingly last week of Kaepernick, who reached out to the ex-FOX analyst shortly after San Francisco hired him.

“Colin and I, when I did some 49ers games, I’d say we hit it off,” Lynch said. “I’d say there was a trust there. I think that trust extends, and I was thrilled when he reached out. I’m looking forward to talking with him.

Kaepernick has earned more than $40MM since signing his extension, notes Barrows, who adds that the 29-year-old enlisted the help of Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group – not XAM – to renegotiate the accord last year. The six-year veteran is now undecided on whether he’ll opt out of the amended contract. The Lynch-led 49ers could essentially make the call for Kaepernick and cut him, which would save the already cap space-rich team $16.9MM in spending room for 2017. However, there’s also the possibility they’ll bring him back on a less expensive pact.

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