Despite getting reinstated as the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the New York Jets, Colin Kaepernick will most likely leave the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. According to insiders, the quarterback is expected to void his contract with the team to become a free agent in the offseason.
With a losing record of 1-11, the 49ers have been officially eliminated from the playoffs. Many fans of the franchise attributed the disappointing season to Kaepernick, who has been very inconsistent on the field. He probably won't be missed when he becomes a free agent and leaves San Francisco next year.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Kaepernick is expected to void his contract for this season. Doing so will make him an unrestricted free agent next year. Given the way he played this season and the controversies he stirred up due to his protests, he might have a hard time finding a new team to signed with in 2017.
In fact, Kaepernick has been playing so badly that he was pulled out during the game against the Chicago Bears. In that match, he only had 1 out of 5 passes for four yards before coach Chip Kelly yanked him off the field and replaced him with Blaine Gabbert.
But, despite his embarrassing performance, it seems the 49ers are still keen to finish their losing season with Kaepernick. Earlier this week, the team announced that he will still be the starting quarterback at Week 14 when they take on the Jets.
After hearing about his reinstatement, Kaepernick noted that he intends to work hard this week to improve the team's performance.
"We have to get back on track this week," he told reporters. "We have to put that work in, make sure everybody's prepared, the mindset's right and once again, move onto New York."
"Elements always play a factor, but you have to be able to handle the elements," he added about the snowy conditions that hampered his plays against the Bears last Sunday. "That's part of what we get paid to do and we have to do a better job with that."
