San Francisco 49ers

49ers and Kaepernick restructuring contract

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

foxsports

The San Francisco 49ers and Colin Kaepernick are reportedly working on a deal to restructure Kaep’s contract to reduce the potential financial risk to the 49ers in case of an injury.

Currently Colin Kaepernick‘s 2017 salary is guaranteed in only one circumstance: Injury. This was also the case for 2016 and may have played a role in the 49ers decision to keep him during the offseason, as they would have had to pay him anyway.

It has been speculated that the 49ers have been reluctant to let Kaepernick start this season because of this injury guarantee. Whether or not there is truth to this rumor, it is smart of the 49ers to try and rework the deal anyway. Kaep may be getting closer to his ideal weight after three surgeries, but he still lacks the strength and prowess he commanded a few years ago.

Eating vegan definitely has not helped Kaepernick put on weight in the interim.

While Kaepernick has remained on the bench for all but three handoffs in Week 1, current starter Blaine Gabbert has struggled with poor accuracy, poor receivers, and a sometimes-leaky offensive line. With Christian Ponder the third quarterback on the roster, the 49ers have three big-name and highly drafted players who have all disappointed.

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If Kaepernick is going to start or even have a chance at doing so, the 49ers are wise to reach a new contract that minimizes risk to the franchise.

All statistics, records and accolades courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com and Sports-Reference.com unless otherwise indicated.

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