The San Francisco 49ers are trying to be smart when it comes to the contract of quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Currently the team has a long list of marquee players due to become free agents including two defensive starters and an MVP. Signing Kaepernick to an unreasonable deal could turn the team into the Baltimore Ravens, forcing them to lose key pieces to the team.
Kaepernick has one more year remaining on his rookie contract. What is the quarterback worth exactly after making two trips to the NFC Championship Game and one trip to the Super Bowl? If Kaepernick is able to cash in on his success, the 49ers will have to say good-bye to a few players to make things work out.
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's contract could severely impact several other players. Anquan Boldin is a big priority for the team in the offseason. The wide receiver was a star this season in the absence of Michael Crabtree. Turning 34 in November, Boldin can use other aging receivers as leverage. Colts' Reggie Wayne signed a three-year, $17.5 million contract at 33. Steve Smith signed a three-year, $18 million contract just before turning 33. NFL agent Joel Corry predicts that unless the 49ers offer something in the range of at least $6 million a season, Boldin leaves.
"He wouldn't take a $2 million pay cut in Baltimore, so is he going to give San Francisco a home-team discount?" Corry said, SFGate.com. "Unless he feels differently about them than he did Baltimore, he's probably not going to think he deserves less money than he made this year."
Phil Dawson is another marquee free agent to watch on the 49ers roster. Last season, head coach Jim Harbaugh said San Francisco needed to give the kicker a pay raise. He drilled 35 of 36 field goal attempts. He made a franchise-record, 27-straight kicks. He earned just $2.35 million and will be looking to get paid this season. The 49ers would wise to keep him around because every other team will be interested in Dawson's foot.
Kaepernick has the potential to impact a lot of player's futures this offseason. The 49ers are preparing to open their checkbooks this season and the quarterback could be the first to receive a deal.
