Colin Kaepernick Contract: San Francisco 49ers Can Save $100 Million If They Release Quarterback
Things just keep getting worse for the San Francisco 49ers.
Now 2-6, the 49ers have chosen to bench their "franchise quarterback" Colin Kaepernick in exchange for former first-round draft pick Blaine Gabbert. The 49ers have lost six of their last seven games, and any hopes of making the playoffs have disappeared. With the recent trade of veteran tight end Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos, it's pretty obvious the 49ers are rebuilding.
Now all eyes are on owner Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke. They have a massive decision to make regarding Kaepernick's contract.
Last year Kaepernick signed a contract with the 49ers worth up to $126 million and more than $60 million in guaranteed money. But, it's not that simple. You've got to read the fine print. Unfortunately for Kaepernick (and his agent), it looks like he will make less than $30 million. So how is this? How can Kaepenick's "record contract" become so little than what we all originally thought?
Kaepernick's contract is very team friendly and incentive based with three huge factors. If Kaepernick doesn't lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl or make first or second team All Pro, his salary drops $2 million each year. The third aspect in the contract also includes that Kaepernick must take at least 80 percent of the snaps en route to a 49ers Super Bowl appearance. With the way Kaepernick and the 49ers are playing, it doesn't like he's getting the full max deal.
So what do all these numbers mean?
It means that Kaepernick's potential $126 million contract could decrease by $100 million because they can cut him before April 1 and save a massive amount of money. If the 49ers cut Kaepernick by April 1, they will save more than $9 million in salary cap space next season, and they wouldn't have to pay the remainder of his contract. To make things even worse for Kaepernick, if the 49ers cut him before April 1, that means they wouldn't even have to pay his injury clause in the contract. It's a tough situation for Kaepernick, but it's the reality of the NFL business.
If the 49ers choose to cut Kaepernick this offseason that means he would have made roughly $10 million last season, $9 million this season (including $2 million reduction), and a $7 million signing bonus. In conclusion, that means Kaepernick would only get $26 million of that $126 million contract.
Kaepernick has six touchdown and five interceptions this season with a 59.3 completion percentage. Now benched for a first round draft bust, it's safe to say he won't be selected to the All Pro team. Kaepernick has looked completely lost without Jim Harbaugh, and he's not running nearly as effective as he used to.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. EDT. Some NFL experts have noted that the Philadelphia Eagles would make a good fit because of the Chip Kelly offense, but it's unlikely Kaepernick will get dealt.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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