NFL Network's Rand Getlin broke the news today that the agents for San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick have requested permission from the team to seek a trade.
Source: Kaepernick's agents have requested permission from the team to seek a trade.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) February 25, 2016
On Wednesday, during his press conference with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke stated that Kaepernick would "absolutely" be on the team on April 1st. Kaepernick is guaranteed his base salary of $11.9 million on that date and would count about $15.9 million against the 49ers' cap in 2016.
There has been a lot of speculation that Kaepernick was unhappy in San Francisco and might be traded prior to that deadline. "The last time we talked to Colin, Colin was excited," said Baalke on Wednesday. Earlier today, Al Sacco wrote an article stating that Baalke's comments on Wednesday don't guarantee anything for Kaepernick.
Kaepernick's desire to leave the 49ers may be news to new head coach Chip Kelly. Earlier today, during a sit down with team beat writers in Indianapolis, he stated that Kaepernick wants to be in San Francisco. "He's never expressed to me that he doesn't want to be here. He expressed to me that he was excited about getting healthy and getting going. And we're excited about him getting healthy and getting going," said Kelly.
In November, Kaepernick was placed on injured reserve when a shoulder injury came into light. He is recovering from multiple surgeries. While none are expected to be long-term issues, he has had surgeries on his left shoulder, thumb, and knee since being placed on injured reserve. He is recovering from his surgeries at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.
There were numerous rumors last season of other teams interested in trading for the quarterback. The 49ers have two other quarterbacks on the roster. Blaine Gabbert, who took over as the team's starter after Kaepernick was benched, and Dylan Thompson. They also own the seventh overall selection in this year's NFL Draft.