San Francisco 49ers

Chip Kelly on Colin Kaepernick: 'There was zero distraction' last season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

Sports Illustrated, SI Wire/Sports Illustrated

Former San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly says that quarterback Colin Kaepernick was not a distraction last season as he dealt with the aftermath of his national anthem protest.

Kaepernick refused to stand for the playing of the national anthem before games, citing racial injustices in the United States starting during the preseason.

He continued his protest through the regular season and recently said that he will stand for the anthem next season.

“There was zero distraction,” Kelly told MMQB.com. “He met with the team immediately after [his first protest]. He met with the other team leaders. He explained his position and where he was coming from. And literally, that was it. Colin was focused on football. He was all about the team and trying to help us win.”

Kaepernick, 29, originally signed a $114 million, six-year contract with the 49ers in 2014, but restructured the contract down to a two-year deal. He opted out of his contract earlier this month and is now a free agent.

Kelly says he believes that Kaepernick is a top NFL quarterback.

"Do I think he is one of the top 64 quarterbacks in the world? There is no question. Does he have the ability to play quarterback on a winning team in the NFL? There is no question," Kelly said.

Kaepernick threw for 2,241 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 starts last season.

- Scooby Axson