As has been well covered, Kaepernick decided to protest the pre-game national anthem last season. "When there's significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it's supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it's supposed to, I'll stand," Kaepernick said last August.
Of course, Kaepernick has already stated that he would stand for the national anthem during the 2017 season should a team sign him. The Seattle Seahawks have been the only reported team that has met with Kaepernick but decided not to sign him.
Lynch was asked about Kaepernick's commitment to playing in the NFL.
RELATED
"I don't know the answer to that," Lynch said. "I would tell you, with my conversations with Colin, he is fully committed to wanting to be in this league. I also, in my private conversations -- and I won't communicate too much of what we talked about -- I will communicate that I gave that opinion to Colin myself. 'You are having a little bit of an image crisis in terms of, not so much what you did last year, but people are wondering is this most important to you at a position where the guys that succeed at that position are the guys that live it, breathe it, the CEOs that play that position?
"I think there is a perception that football is not on the top of his list. My communication with Colin was, 'Your best effort -- I think the way you can best help yourself is to not have someone talk for you, not have statements, but go sit down and do an interview and let people know exactly where you stand.' Because he makes a compelling case as to how bad he wants to be in the league when you talk to him."
You can listen to the entire interview on KNBR.
Kaepernick has played his entire career for the 49ers – the team that drafted him in 2011. This past season, the quarterback completed 59.2-percent of his passes for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions through 11 games.
The 49ers decided against having any of the quarterbacks from the 2016 roster return this season. At the start of free agency, the team signed former Chicago Bears quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. The team also selected C.J. Beathard out of Iowa in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and signed undrafted free agent Nick Mullens out of Southern Mississippi.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
John Lynch downplays 49ers' run-game concerns
While Christian McCaffrey continues to deliver a remarkable season for the San Francisco 49ers—totaling 1,655 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns—questions remain about the team's overall rushing efficiency. McCaffrey is on pace for his second career season surpassing both... -
49ers' John Lynch addresses futures of Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch joined The TK Show with Tim Kawakami and discussed the futures of two key players—Brandon Aiyuk and Mac Jones. Recent reporting revealed that the 49ers voided Aiyuk's guaranteed money for 2026, a move many viewed as signaling an... -
49ers' John Lynch and Brock Purdy send strong messages on championship hopes
The San Francisco 49ers enter their Week 14 bye with nine wins—the same number of wins as the Chicago Bears, who sit atop the NFC standings, and the Los Angeles Rams, who currently lead the NFC West. With the conference wide open and the playoff picture shifting weekly, the... -
49ers' John Lynch casts doubt on Brandon Aiyuk's return this season
The San Francisco 49ers have long expressed optimism about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk returning to the field this season. That optimism appears to be fading. During a Tuesday morning interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR, general manager John Lynch was asked whether it's...