49ers Open To Kaepernick Return, But Colin Reportedly Wants Out [Video]


Word on the street is that after many claims of Kaepernick leaving, the 49ers are, in fact, open to his return as starting quarterback. Is it true? Well, it’s all speculation at this point. Let’s just say that given what was said, it feels a little more like blind faith than realism.

First of all, those of us familiar with how Colin Kaepernick got his job as starting quarterback have seen this play out before. Three years ago, it was an injured Alex Smith who stood by and watched the promising Kaepernick swoop in and take his job. Now, it appears that Blaine Gabbert just might be in the position to do the same thing. What some call a “clutch” performance, others would call “gracefully mediocre.” I lean toward the latter camp.

When a team is having a bad season and the fans and franchise are looking for hope, mediocre looks marvelous. What’s interesting is that Gabbert, who can’t be faulted for being a safe, run-of-the-mill option, managed to help the 49ers pull off a win during a time when the offensive line is floundering. It’s certainly not the O-Line behind, which Colin Kaepernick flourished only a few short seasons ago. That certainly raises an interesting question: Would sensible draft picks and a good offense make Gabbert look like the love child of Kaepernick and Smith?

Given the expensive nature of Colin’s contract, it just might be a far less costly gamble, one that could very well benefit the 49ers.

Despite this, there is the insistence that because Kaepernick sat down with 49ers GM Trent Baalke and words were exchanged, the 28-year-old just might stay put. Sources insisted to Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport that Kap might not be done in San Francisco yet. It’s very Pollyanna-like, which makes feel that what CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora was told is closer to the truth.

As reported by CBS Sports writer Jared Dubin said the following.

“A source told CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora that Kaepernick does not want to be in San Francisco, as the trust between the two sides has eroded beyond repair.”

“The source said that Kaepernick and the 49ers had private meetings before and after the quarterback was benched for Blaine Gabbert, and that it was clear at that time the relationship between Kaepernick and the team was over.”

So, is the door open for a return? Possibly. However, it’s not enough for there to be an open door; the other party has to be willing to walk through. Colin Kaepernick may be saying yes to being one of the best paid benched quarterbacks in history. Or he may be saying no to the San Francisco 49ers altogether.

We’ll probably not know anything for certain until the offseason is upon us. Given the decisive arch of Colin Kaepernick’s career, I would be extremely surprised if he stays with the 49ers. Especially when the team has given every indication they’re waiting for someone — anyone — better to come along so they can do to him what they did to Alex Smith.

Of course, even if Kaepernick were to decide against a return to the 49ers as a starter…where does he go from San Francisco? He’s probably not going to be the only quarterback on the market, and it’s a notoriously difficult spot to fill. Teams will either want to stick with what they have or improve. Terrible teams desperate to improve might take a chance on Kaepernick. However, his terms are pretty pricey for a QB on a decisively downward spiral.

Should Kaepernick try to return to starting for the 49ers or just move on? Share your thoughts below!

[Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]

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