Colin Kaepernick Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz, Speculation Surrounding 49ers QB

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick's future with the San Francisco 49ers is in doubt after he was placed on season-ending injured reserve because of a shoulder injury.

Continue for updates. 

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Kaepernick Met with 49ers About Future

Sunday, Dec. 6

ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing sources, reported Kaepernick met with the 49ers "last week and [the] team expressed it’s open to bringing him back." Schefter added that the "door [is] not closed on [a] return to [San Francisco]."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirmed the meeting took place and that Kaepernick and 49ers general manager Trent Baalke also discussed potential free-agent targets this offseason.

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Baalke Comments on Kaepernick's Future in San Francisco

Sunday, Nov. 22

Baalke told reporters "no one contacted us" when asked whether the team had been approached regarding a trade for Kaepernick.

Baalke was also asked whether Kaepernick had played his last snap in San Francisco, saying: "I wouldn't say that at all. I think people are reading into that."

However, he said the quarterback's future is "no different than it was prior to this."

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Kaepernick Could Be Traded During Offseason

Sunday, Nov. 22

Rapoport reported "San Francisco will explore trade options again this offseason, and it sounds like Kaepernick would welcome a fresh start, as well."

According to Spotrac, Kaepernick's cap hit next season clocks in just shy of $16.8 million. And as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio mentioned, the 49ers will need to cut or trade Kaepernick before April 1, when his base salary of $11.9 million becomes guaranteed. "By being placed on IR, Colin Kaepernick now misses out on $125,000 in per-game roster bonuses—a loss this season of $875,000," noted ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Rapoport added that the best solution for the 49ers might be to trade Kaepernick, particularly with a potentially complicated financial situation still to play out:

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The battle, though, might come around April 1. That's when Kaepernick's contract vests if he's healthy and on the roster. But if he can't pass a physical by then—which may or may not be the case depending on who does the physical and where he is in his rehab—the intrigue begins.

Does that mean the team is on the hook for his $11.9M salary that is guaranteed for injury? Or if they release him and he plays for someone else (a team would offset the amount the Niners pay on his salary) is that enough to minimize what San Francisco has to pay? If there is a debate regarding the money, it'll likely end up in a grievance.

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Several Franchises Interested in Kaepernick 

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Kaepernick wasn't traded at the deadline, as expected, but NFL Network's Rand Getlin reported that "multiple teams are interested in potentially acquiring his services down the road."

Kaepernick flashed tremendous promise after taking over as the 49ers' starting quarterback full time in 2012, but his production has spiraled out of control this season. In eight starts, the one-time second-round pick completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions while getting sacked 28 times. 

If an interested franchise with savvy offensive minds and a sturdy offensive line can scoop Kaepernick up and erase some imperfections in his mechanics, the 28-year-old could experience a revival.

The 49ers benched Kaepernick in favor of Blaine Gabbert prior to Week 9.