#49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's new agents, Jeff Nalley & Sean Kiernan, informed 32 teams yesterday that they rep him and he will be opting out
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2017
On February 13, it was reported that the quarterback parted ways with XAM Sports, which had represented him since the 2011 NFL Draft. Kaepernick needed an agent to file the paperwork to opt out of his contract. He will also need an agent to talk with interested teams – if there are any – during the two-day window leading up to the start of free agency on March 9. Teams are not allowed to talk directly to players, even if they are self-represented.
Kaepernick is not expected to garner that kind of money in free agency, the result of which is likely to place him on a roster where he would have to compete for a starting job for the second year in a row. There is also his national anthem protest, which, according to multiple reports, is expected to deter at least a few quarterback-needy teams.
Kaepernick started the 2016 season as the 49ers' backup quarterback. Recovery from three offseason surgeries and then a shoulder injury during training camp pushed him behind Blaine Gabbert in a quarterback competition to determine a starter. However, Kaepernick returned as the starter during Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, would go on to win just one game, and finish with the second-worst Pro Football Focus grade of his career and rank 27th among all quarterbacks.
This past season, Kaepernick completed 59.2-percent of his passes for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions through 11 games.