49ers and Colin Kaepernick Working on New Deal
With San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick entering 2014 in a contract year, it’s understandable the two sides want to work to get an extension hammered out before the situation becomes a distraction.
According to the Sacramento Bee, reps for Kaepernick and the Niners have already begun the process to make sure the star quarterback is under center in San Francisco for years to come.
The team reportedly already made extra room within the salary cap this past weekend, receiving an additional $9.2 million with cornerback Carlos Rogers’ money coming off the books on June 1st.
Signed to a cheap four-year, $5.129 million deal in 2011 as a rookie, Kaepernick is making less than $980,000 going into his final season of his current contract, and would enter 2015 as an unrestricted free agent if the two sides cannot reach an agreement before the season begins.
Should that happen, the Niners would undoubtedly franchise tag their star quarterback, to ensure no one else could snatch them up. While that security probably gives San Francisco’s front office some peace of mind, reports suggest neither party wants to wait on a new deal.
Kaepernick has risen quickly in both play and role over the past two seasons, thanks to head coach Jim Harbaugh switching away from an injured Alex Smith to Kaepernick full-time during the 2012 NFL season. Kaepernick took over for a concussed Smith and once the change was made permanent just a few weeks later, proceeded to guide the 49ers to their first Super Bowl appearance since the days of Steve Young.
Kaepernick matured as a pocket passer in 2013, his first full season as a starter. He kicked the season off with a bang, burning the Green Bay Packers for 412 passing yards and three touchdowns before helping the 49ers get back to their third straight NFC Championship game later that year.
With the 49ers having their sights on a fourth straight NFC title game appearance and a hopeful return to the Super Bowl, locking down their stud young passer now would be in the best interest of both sides.
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