Colin Kaepernick Comments on Former Trade Request, 49ers and More

Despite Colin Kaepernick's future with the San Francisco 49ers being in question for much of the offseason, the quarterback affirmed on Thursday that he is pleased to still be with the team.   

“What [head coach] Chip [Kelly], the coaching staff, my teammates have really done this offseason, and the work they’ve put in and how everything has been going, I’m very excited to be here,” Kaepernick told reporters, per Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. “I’m very happy to be here. And looking forward to training camp.”

According to Maiocco, Kaepernick spoke to reporters for 18 minutes on Thursday, though he wouldn't go into any details on the trade request he made this offseason:

"

Organizations at the end of the season go through and evaluate personnel and opportunities. That was something, I sat down with my team and did the same thing. That’s how we handled the business. 

We were looking at different opportunities. I don’t want to get into specifics of what happened, why things happened. At this point, everything is football. I’m a 49er. Once again, excited to work with Chip and this coaching staff, [offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins] and [quarterbacks coach Ryan Day] have been amazing. I’m excited about what’s to come.

"

Kaepernick, 28, had a dreadful season in 2015, throwing for just 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. He completed just 59 percent of his passes and rushed for 256 yards and a score.

He was benched for Blaine Gabbert in early November and was placed on injured reserve later that month, ending his season. He then had surgeries on his right thumb and his left knee in January and has been working his way back into shape this offseason.

“My health is doing well,” he told reporters. “I’m happy to get back out on the field this week. Everything’s coming along, progressing as planned. At this point I can really get rolling. And I’m excited to get back on the field, get healthy and be ready for this training camp.”

A starting gig is hardly guaranteed for Kaepernick, however, even if his mobility appears to be a good fit for Kelly's zone-read, spread offense. Gabbert played fairly well for the Niners in his stint as the starter (2,031 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions in eight games) and has earned at least an open competition during training camp.

Kaepernick, to his credit, isn't shying away from the challenge.

“(I’m) ready to compete, ready to give this team everything I have,” he said.

The Niners will likely be hoping Kaepernick can turn a corner under Kelly and prove worthy of the six-year, $126 million contract extension he signed in 2014. While his accuracy and his ability to quickly diagnose a defense need to improve, his athleticism and scrambling ability make him an intriguing player, even after several rough seasons.

An improved Kaepernick in Kelly's scheme could help the 32nd-ranked scoring offense in 2015 take a major leap forward as the Niners continue to rebuild. Anything less, however, and he'll likely find himself relegated to the bench again this season.

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