He s expected to undergo a physical with the team s medical staff this Friday, the source indicated. The rumors grew louder when the team hired new head coach Chip Kelly. This means that there’s still a strong chance that the quarterback will remain in San Francisco. Kelly has been saying all the right things lately and making it clear that Kaepernick’s wanted in San Francisco.
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Kaepernick is now recovering from offseason surgeries on his shoulder, thumb and knee and spending the time in Vail, Colorado.
“I think you just have to look at who fits and who’s the right fit for the organization”, Kelly said.
Last week, ESPN reported that Kaepernick had expressed interest in playing for either the Cleveland Browns or Oakland Raiders but when the 49ers were in trade talks with the Browns, New York Jets and Denver Broncos, neither team showed much urgency to acquire the QB.
The secretive Kelly, who has not spoken publicly since his introductory media conference on January 20 (he did meet with a select group of 49ers beat writers at the combine last month), said at Stanford’s pro day he’d “love” to have the quarterback at his disposal. Kelly said the 49ers are still scanning the free-agent shelves, although he didn’t mention it’s hard to locate many potential impact players on the market. “I’m a big Kap fan”. “It was a good conversation”.
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The Broncos remain the favorite, possibly because they appear the most desperate for a starting quarterback as they try winning a second straight Lombardi Trophy. There’s a business side of this game. The 49ers have over $50 million in salary cap room to accommodate him, and if no trade is made before the draft, they can carry him on the roster, perhaps finding a new trade partner if an injury or need arises later in the offseason, training camp or the late-October trade deadline. With the 49ers in a great position to draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, it makes sense that Kelly would attempt to maximize Kaepernick’s return while he can. “If you’re going to pay some guy who never has been to a Pro Bowl more than anyone on your roster, that’s a little bit hard”.
