Kaepernick entering final year of rookie contract.
The San Francisco 49ers are reportedly set to continue discussions with quarterback Colin Kaepernick over a new contract, with the two parties expected to meet for face-to-face talks according to ESPN.
It had been reported that the two sides met at the NFL draft combine in February to begin initial talks, and the latest suggestions are that they are keen to agree on terms prior to the new season starting in September.
The 26-year-old is entering the final season of the four-year deal he signed as a second-round pick in 2011, and while the 49ers can give their quarterback the franchise tag next winter if a deal is not agreed upon, the intention is clearly to secure his long-term future now.
Kaepernick has a 21-8 record as the 49ers starting quarterback and has led the team to a Super Bowl and two NFC title games, although they have ultimately fallen short of their objectives on all three occasions.
Nevertheless, franchise owner Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke have publicly said that the aim this off-season is to get a new contract for Kaepernick while coach Jim Harbaugh has insisted that they will see him go up another gear in the upcoming campaign.
Talks had gone quiet over the last month or so following on from the controversy over an ongoing investigation in Miami for what police have described as a “suspicious incident” involving Kaepernick and two other NFL stars.
While the authorities hope to conclude their work in the coming weeks, Kaepernick has denied any wrongdoing with his coach defending him publicly and calling for a swift resolution to the matter.
Kaepernick will likely look for a salary between $18m and $20m which will be a significant jump up from the $1.073m that he will earn this season, but he has insisted that he will continue to focus on preparations for the new season and leave all contract matters to his agents.
COMMENTS