Colin Kaepernick is aware that he is likely due a contract extension this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback is preparing to enter the final year of his rookie contract after being drafted in the second round back in 2011. After leading his team to two-straight NFC championship games and a Super Bowl appearance, Kaepernick could be due some big money. However, the quarterback promises he is will to be smart with the money to help other free agents.

Determining Kaepernick's worth could be difficult for the 49ers. The team obviously intends on keeping the quarterback for the long-term, but they also have numerous marquee free agents that need new contracts as well. A bad contract structure could mean players like Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Donte Whitner are the ones paying the price. Kaepernick says he wants a contract that works best for the long-term structure of the team.

"I think it's a balance. You want to be paid fairly for what you feel like you're doing in comparison to your peers," Kaepernick said on KNBR, via Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. "But at the same time, you have to realize, if we want to get Anquan Boldin back, if we want Donte Whitner to come back, we're going to have to make moves to get them back. And there has to be room for everyone. And that's something I'm going to let my agent and the organization try to figure out. But hopefully, it's a position where we can assemble the best team we need."

Boldin and Whitner are set to become free agents in March. The 49ers intend to keep both players around, but they likely will take too kindly to a pay cut request. Boldin has already denied that option once before, causing him to get traded from the Baltimore Ravens following a contract dispute. A balance with Kaepernick's deal will be crucial in keeping everyone happy.

SFGate.com reports that Kaepernick could earn a contract in the realm of what the Chicago Bears signed Jay Cutler to. The quarterback signed a seven-year, $126.7 million contract right when the offseason began. The contract, while extremely long-term, is very friendly to the salary cap which is what the 49ers are aiming to do with Kaepernick. The team has no interest in letting him hit free agency, but waiting another year to give him a contract could hurt even more than an extension this season.

Kaepernick has been thinking about a contract extension, but he is more excited about the 49ers next season. He is predicting big things for the team after they came up short in the NFC championship game.