The details of the contract extension that takes Kaepernick through the 2020 season appear to make him one of the top-10 paid quarterbacks in the NFL. The total guarantees in the deal won't be certain until final numbers are confirmed by the NFL Players Association, but several reports estimate its value at up to $126 million.
"To me, it's something that I feel like I'm always striving to be in that group, in the elite group in the NFL," Kaepernick said. "Not necessarily pay, but as far as a player. And whatever comes along with that comes along with it. But, for me, I'm worried about trying to be the best player I can and try to help this organization win as many games as we can."
Kaepernick (6’4”, 230 pounds) was originally selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by San Francisco. He has played in 32 games (23 starts), completing 382 of 639 pass attempts for 5,046 yards and 31 touchdowns.
"Colin's hard work and dedication have played an integral role in the recent success of the 49ers organization," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement. "His work ethic, leadership and on-field production have positively influenced our team, and we look forward to his continued growth in all areas.
"Our organization always looks to reward our players for their contributions and commitment to the team. Colin's agents, Scott Smith and Jason Bernstein, along with Paraag Marathe and Brian Hampton, should be commended for working diligently to reach an agreement."
Kaepernick, 26, has started all six postseason games in which he has appeared, including two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl. In those games, he posted four wins and threw for 1,374 yards and seven touchdowns, while completing 94 of 162 pass attempts. He has also rushed for 507 yards and four touchdowns on 51 rushing attempts in the playoffs.
Kaepernick was pleased to get the contract out of the way before the season.
"I really wasn't sure when it was going to be done or the timing of it," he said. "But they decided to have it done at this point and we don't have to worry about talks or anything like that moving forward. We can get back to football and focus on trying to win a Super Bowl."
In 2013, Kaepernick started all 16 regular-season games, and all three postseason contests, setting career highs in completions (243), passing yards (3,197) and passing touchdowns (21), while also recording 92 rushing attempts for 542 yards and four touchdowns.
He was scheduled to have made $1.073 million this season.
The contract could have widely felt repercussions for upcoming deals involving Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks and two former No. 1 overall picks, Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) and Andrew Luck (Indianapolis Colts). - Reuters
source: gmanetwork.com
