After going 1-10 as the 49ers’ starting quarterback in 2016, it would be reasonable to assume that Colin Kaepernick has played his final game in a red and gold uniform.
Despite some hiccups, however, Kaepernick put together his best statistical season since taking the 49ers to the NFC Championship game in 2013. Kaepernick finshed with 16 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions, and posted an impressive quarterback rating of 90.7.
49ers beat writer Matt Barrows joined Garry and Larry on Friday morning, and said that while Kap may no longer be the quarterback of the future, presumptive 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan could be interested in keeping him around for next season.
“I think that Kyle Shanahan is open-minded to Colin Kaepernick,” Barrows said. “Like you said, the cupboard is bare when it comes to quarterbacks and the 49ers, so Kyle Shanahan may reach that conclusion. ‘We’re not gonna get Kirk Cousins, we’re not gonna overreach for DeShaun Watson with the number two pick, so we do need Colin Kaepernick as the veteran here, and we’ll bring in a couple of other ones.’”
Barrows believes the most likely scenario is that Shanahan will look to the free agent market, and sign a veteran QB for relatively cheap, then hold an open competition in training camp.
“He’s worked with Brian Hoyer for example who’s gonna be a free agent, he’s worked with him in Cleveland,” Barrows said. “He’s worked with Matt Schaub another soon to be free agent. Schaub has been the backup in Atlanta the last few years. So there are options, but there are no long term options at this point.”
“Bringing somebody back like Kaepernick who’s on a one year deal, that’s gonna be discussed, that’s going to be an option. I don’t think that Kyle Shanahan is going to turn his back or turn away from any of those options at this point.”
Listen to the full interview below.