The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Colin Kaepernick spoke briefly about a potential extension during the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this offseason. Those negotiations were put on hold for multiple reasons, the most public potentially being Kaepernick’s involvement in an ongoing investigation in Miami, Florida.Â
For his part, head coach Jim Harbaugh has supported Kaepernick publicly since the story broke earlier in the offseason (via the Sacramento Bee).Â
I feel very good there’ll be a good resolution, and hopefully a just one, too…I hate to see his reputation be the victim.
Whether or not that incident played a role in extension negotiations ending earlier this offseason remains to be seen. However, now that it appears Kaepernick will be cleared of any wrong doing in that incident, the two sides are prepared to sit down an negotiate a long-term extension. It also helps that San Francisco picked up over $6 million in cap space earlier this week after its earlier release of cornerback Carlos Rogers came off the books. That gives general manager Trent Baalke and Co. some wriggle room if a potential extension includes a raise this upcoming season.
According to the Sacramento Bee,Â
According to a source close to the situation, the two sides will meet this week in Santa Clara. This is believed to be the first face-to-face meeting between the team’s chief contract negotiator, Paraag Marathe, and XAM Sports’ representatives since the sides dined at a popular Indianapolis steakhouse during the scouting combine in February.
Common logic suggests that Kaepernick should receive a long-term extension averaging about $18 million per season. This would put him in Tony Romo and Jay Cutler territory.
The 26-year-old quarterback has put up 40 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 23 regular season starts. Including the postseason, he is 21-8 as a starting quarterback. He has also led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and NFC Championship game in his first two seasons as a starter.
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