Report: 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will become free agent

If quarterback Colin Kaepernick doesn't opt out of the final year of his contract, the 49ers will almost certainly release him to avoid paying him a $14.5 million base salary in 2017. Kaepernick will opt out of the final year of his contract, as was first reported by NFL Network in December and confirmed today by ESPN. Given their bare cupboard, incoming head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will likely explore addressing the position via free agency, a trade and the draft. In 11 starts in 2016, Kaepernick had 16 touchdowns, four interceptions and posted his best passer rating (90.7) since 2013.