Now that the craziness of Jim Harbaugh potentially being traded and Colin Kaepernick wanting billions of dollars seems to have subsided a tad, it appears that the San Francisco 49ers are prepared to make every effort to extend their franchise quarterback at some point in the next few months.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh says it is a “high priority” for team to keep QB Colin Kaepernick. » pic.twitter.com/vjXyoQAVAf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 25, 2014
While it remains to be seen if a deal can get done between Kaepernick and the team, Harbaugh appears to be on the same page with general manager Trent Baalke, who confirmed that the young quarterback was their priority in the coming months, per CSN Bay Area.
We’re going to work extremely hard, very diligently in trying to get something done prior to training camp. That’s the objective right now, as it stands.
Imagine that, head coach and general manager on the same page. That email conversation, that was apparently their only form of communication, must be relatively long at this point in the offseason.
The discussions had previously been in their infant stages, as the two sides spoke solely about generalities and not much more. That’s obviously changed recently.
#49ers GM Trent Baalke: “Now we’re ready to present a formal proposal” to @Kaepernick7. READ: http://t.co/NnqIgaPOU5 pic.twitter.com/Sdao4LSbgd
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) March 25, 2014
If you remember correctly, it was previously reported by Ben Volin of The Boston Globe that Kaepernick wanted upwards of $18 million per season on his new deal. While that may have caught some off guard, it’s important to note that Tony Romo and Jay Cutler are pegged to make that amount in 2014, per Spotrac.com. Kaepernick has two more career postseason wins than those two veterans combined.
For his part, 49ers CEO Jed York seems to think that Kaepernick should be among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
49ers CEO Jed York: Colin Kaepernick “should be paid like one of the top quarterbacks in the league.” http://t.co/xD7dsqTgZ7
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoCSN) March 25, 2014
So with all the decision makers on board and Kaepernick looking for a new deal himself, it’s reasonable to believe that the two sides can come to a long-term contract agreement. It now remains to be seen what the exact value will be and whether an extension can be agreed to before the 49ers open up their new digs in Santa Clara in August.
Photo: Kirby Lee, USA Today