The San Francisco 49ers could lock Colin Kaepernick up to a long-term deal this offseason, but reports suggested that the club might pass on offering a new contract to their starting quarterback.
ESPN Insider Mike Sando reported that the 49ers are facing dilemma in Kaepernick's contract situation. The vaunted quarterback is eligible to sign a new contract this offseason, but the 49ers are reportedly not fully committed to keeping Kaepernick in the long run - at least for now.
Sources said that the Seattle Seahawks' successful Super Bowl run this year affected the offseason plans of the 49ers because the reigning NFL champions proved that a team can win with a young and inexpensive quarterback like Russell Wilson.
However, one NFL quarterback's agent indicated that not taking the opportunity to secure a long-term deal with a quarterback of Kaepernick's caliber before his contract season could backfire next offseason similar to what happened with Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco.
The Ravens passed on offering a new deal to Flacco before his contract season, which backfired as Flacco's price value suddenly increased big time after leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl run in 2013.
Flacco commanded a $120-million deal for six year, which is said to be way higher than what he could have demanded had the Ravens offered a new contract before the 2013 NFL season.
"I wonder if the landscape for quarterbacks in the NFL has forever changed with what Russell Wilson just did and what happened with Flacco," the NFL agent was quoted as saying. "Are you better off having young, inexpensive quarterbacks and trying to win with these guys?"
Kaepernick, who led the Niners to two NFC title matches and one Super Bowl stint in his first three seasons in the league, could earn around $20 million in the next two seasons if San Francisco passes on signing him this summer.
Sources added though that Kaepernick might be amenable to a $15 million per year frontloaded contract as previous reports indicated that the 26-year-old QB is willing to accept lesser money to give the 49ers the opportunity to lock up other key players.
"If you get to the $15 million range, you know you are taking care of him and you can make a big deal in the press saying Kaepernick could have held out for more, but, like Tom Brady, he wants to help his team," another NFL agent stressed.
