Kaepernick: “We don’t have to worry about talks or anything like that moving forward.”

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers held a press conference for Colin Kaepernick in the defensive meeting room Wednesday afternoon. Here is a transcript courtesy of the 49ers.

 

What kind of sense of relief does getting this done, and getting it done in June, give you going into the season?

“I think everyone’s very excited about it. I think not only my agents, Scott [Smith] and Jason [Bernstein], but [49ers team president] Paraag [Marathe] and [49ers director of football administration and analytics] Brian [Hampton] and the 49ers organization put a lot of hard work in to making sure we got this done as soon as possible.”

This is a big deal obviously so it’s going to come with a lot of big pressure. What do you see yourself accomplishing over these next seven years?

“Trying to win as many Super Bowls as I can. I think that’s your goal as a player is to try to win the Super Bowl every year that you’re playing. Granted, that’s not necessarily realistic to win it every single year. But, that’s what your goal is.”

I know that the case in Miami, there’s going to be nothing to it, but the timing of it, was there any ever any sense in your mind that that was going to somehow railroad this deal that had been started in February?

“Well, that wasn’t something that I was worried about. I think I was letting my agents handle all of the talking. They did an amazing job talking with the 49ers. I think everyone’s very happy that this organization, my coach, to [49ers CEO] Jed [York], to everyone throughout the building, had this kind of confidence to do it at this point in time. I think we all greatly appreciate that.”

Did you expect this to happen so soon once they started face-to-face negotiations again?

“I really wasn’t sure when it was going to be done or the timing of it. 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.”

You’re in an elite stratosphere of players in the NFL now in terms of what you’ll be making. At what point did you feel that you belonged in that club? How many games into your career did it take you to feel that way?

“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. 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.”

Why was it important for you to get the deal done now?

“I wouldn’t say it was something that had to be done right now. I just think between my agents and the organization, they work very hard and work very well together. The timing of it, they were able to get it done six weeks earlier than what I think everyone really thought.”

Do you have any plans on what you want to do with the first time you see your bank balance take a big jump?

“Haven’t thought about it too much. But, I think the first thing is to make sure everyone in my family is set and I guess go from there.”

At the end of last season, I thought you made some comments that your salary demands might be somewhat more modest than what we’re hearing that you got in order to leave space for other players on the team. Had you rethought that position?

“No. Part of the way the contract is written and the way it was negotiated was so they would be able to sign other players. That was something that my agents and the organization worked out and they felt like this was something they would be able to get other players with.”

Did you ever imagine this happening to you? Before going to Nevada, a relatively small program and you being a baseball player as well, was there anything in your mind that sensed ‘I might become one of the highest paid players in the NFL?’

“No, I don’t think that’s something that I ever thought about. I think for me I’ve always just tried to be the best player I can be. To be able to have this compensation come along with it is amazing. I’m very grateful for it. There have been too many people that have helped me get to this position, from the organization to my family to [head] coach [Jim] Harbaugh, Paraag working on the deal, my agents being there, the coaches along the way, even [Chiefs QB] Alex Smith, the time I spent with him. I don’t think I would have been able to be at this point so quickly if he hadn’t been such a great mentor to me and helped me along with things. So, I’m very grateful for my teammates as well. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Sometimes guys get paid and they get fat and happy. That doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a problem with you, but is that something you’ll have to guard against, just having to dull your desires slightly?

“No, I don’t think so. I don’t think my motivation is money driven. I think it’s driven by the success I can have on the field. Not necessarily for myself, but with my teammates. And, this just gives me all the more reason to go out and try to prove that I can live up to the expectations. I can try to help this organization win as many Super Bowls as possible.”

Is there pressure in that?

“I don’t feel like it’s a pressure thing. I think it’s my own personal expectation regardless of what anyone else thinks. My expectation is to try and win a Super Bowl every year.”

What’s the biggest part of your game that you think that you need to improve on to get a Super Bowl championship?

“I think it’s something you’re constantly trying to work on all parts of your game. But, as far as progressions, getting through reads, making better decisions in certain situations. Those are always things you’re trying to improve and it’s always easier in hindsight to say, ‘I should have done this, I could have done this,’ but it’s something you try to work to make sure in hindsight you’re making the right decisions.”

Is there anything you wanted to buy that you’ve always wanted to buy and now you will buy it with this new money? Or purchases?

“No. Not at this point. I really don’t spend too much money. I think the three most expensive things I own are my T.V., my bed and my couch. I’m going to keep it that way for a while.”

You’re very charming at this press conference. It’s very nice to see you smile. You have a nice smile. A lot of times last season and the season before after games, we never saw that. You hardly spoke in mono syllables. You were curt and never smiled. Why have you changed?

“It’s not a change. To me, it’s a different time, different place. In the offseason, we have the opportunity to talk and there is nothing on the line. In season, there is information that you can say, there’s things that you can say that other teams might pick up on that might hurt you on the field, might hurt you for the next game. To me, I’m not going to give that information away.”

So, you’ll be that way again during the season? Are these two personalities, the “nice” Colin and the “difficult” Colin, and will we see the other one later on?

“It’s not ‘nice’ and ‘difficult’ Colin. It’s a ‘short-and-sweet’ Colin and someone that can be a little bit lengthier with their answers.”

That’s an interesting choice of socks you’re wearing. Was that chosen this morning or are those special contract-signing socks?

“No. I had these on before I found out. So, luck of the draw.”

What do you have to say to the folks who are skeptical saying you haven’t played 30 games, or started at 30 games? What do you say to those folks who are skeptical and a contract this big?

“Well, I guess the only thing I can say is I’m going to work to try and make sure I’m worth every penny of this. I’m going to try to win as many games as possible and help this team win as many games as possible. And, I think that’s something I feel like I can do.”

Colin, I have a follow-up sock question. Where did you acquire those and what do they represent, if anything?

“To be honest, one of my friends gave them to me, I think. He gave me a box of socks. No idea what brand or what company, but they were in my drawer.”

This article has 258 Comments

  1. Good interview, but the the amount of the contract demands immediate results. Try is no longer an option.

    1. Mid,
      For some here, putting immediate demands on CK has been the norm since his first start.

      Once Kaep gets it completely figured out as a QB, he/49ers will get their share of SB wins.

      1. The problem is that his new extension makes those demands even more immediate AES. It also eliminates any time that he needs or needed to get it completely figured as a QB. He has to figure it out now. Waiting one year for a deal would have given him that time.

        1. I see what you’re saying Mid.
          But the reality is that CK has been learning on the job since his first start against the Bears.

          The ‘figuring out’ aspect of the game will come as he faces different defensive schemes the more he plays.

          The two QB’s that have been quick studies on learning to read defenses in my opinion are Payton Manning and Andrew Luck, and they only have ‘one’ SB win between them.

          The expectations for CK have always been high because like most here, I too believe that we are a SB ready team. Hopefully, everything aligns itself this coming season and we get our long awaited Lombardi.

          1. But the reality is that CK has been learning on the job since his first start against the Bears.

            He no longer has that luxury.

            The ‘figuring out’ aspect of the game will come as he faces different defensive schemes the more he plays.

            That is no longer acceptable. Nobody wants a QB that is paid like one of the elites to still be ‘figuring it out.’

            The two QB’s that have been quick studies on learning to read defenses in my opinion are Payton Manning and Andrew Luck, and they only have ‘one’ SB win between them.

            Kaep is not only going to have to immediately do that but also have his stats close to the ones of Peyton Manning and Super Bowl titles on par with Tom Brady.

            The expectations for CK have always been high because like most here, I too believe that we are a SB ready team.

            Those expectations are about to go exponentially through the roof.

              1. Stats and titles? Now you’re getting ridiculous mwd..lol

                So you want a high priced QB that can only get middle-of-the-road stats and /or no Super Bowl titles? That makes sense.

              2. That’s not what I meant..I dont really care about stat so much…We’re a run first team..So we’re gonna be pass happy like The packers,Broncos,saints and patriots for Kap to even put up those passing stats.The whole team”has”to win championships..Nobody can win a superbowl alone.Brady,aaron,peyton and drew didnt throw to themselves

              3. That’s not what I meant..I dont really care about stat so much…We’re a run first team..So we’re gonna be pass happy like The packers,Broncos,saints and patriots for Kap to even put up those passing stats.The whole team”has”to win championships..Nobody can win a superbowl alone.Brady,aaron,peyton and drew didnt throw to themselves

                Sorry, but due to the size of the extension, those can be nothing more than excuses now. Kaep has been paid like Brady, Rodgers, Manning, and Brees, so he has to match or surpass those guys in order to validate the extension. That includes stats and Super Bowl titles.

              4. Uhhh..I say again..one man can’t do it all alone..Everything is Kap fault stance again. Doesn’t work that way..what if he plays good and we still lose?is it still all on him then?

              5. If it was up to me, no. But it isn’t. Contracts like this usually dictate whether that is true or not. It will all come down to how fans, outsiders, and the media compare his results to what they think the results should be in a year or two. It won’t matter if he is still developing or not because all that will matter at that time are the results and whether the aforementioned groups believe them to be satisfactory or not.
                Unfortunately, what I said about the excuses is true. The size of this contract won’t allow them to exist.

  2. We’ll get to find out what happens if he doesn’t deliver a SB.
    soon………….

  3. “Try is no longer an option”. There is trying in football. I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all…..

    1. There is trying in football. I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.

      His new contract throws try out the window. It’s now do or don’t. No excuses.

      1. Mid,
        Are you implying that CK should guarantee a SB win now that he ‘got paid?’
        The last person who did that was Joe Namath. And even Namath never sniffed a another SB after that.

        I believe that Kaep will continue to do what he’s done since day one: Work hard to improve all facets of the QB position.
        When I see Tom Brady, Payton and Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Matty Ryan, and Cam Newton guaranteeing SB wins perhaps then we can demand immediate results from CK.
        For now, I’m happy with Kaep being the first one at practice and facing one of the best defenses in football during practice every day.

      2. Are you implying that CK should guarantee a SB win now that he ‘got paid?’

        No, but his stats and success have to equal what he earns. Also, I have never cared for guarantees from a player. I want results and this new deal more or less demands that they be immediate.

        1. Mid,
          I agree, stats could be better but I fail to see how anyone could say that he hasn’t been successful.
          Two Championship games and one Superbowl appearance in 1 1/2 season is something that most QB’s don’t achieve in a career.
          Those numbers don’t imply failure in my book. In fact, far from it Mid.

          As I said over the weekend, I expect a big improvement from CK this coming season.
          I staunch in my faith in him that he’ll do just that.

          1. No, but they also don’t say top 5 QB pay either.

            As I said over the weekend, I expect a big improvement from CK this coming season.

            I no longer expect it AES. I demand it because his contract now does.

            1. Mid,
              What exactly does his new contract demand?
              Does the wording specify: “You Must Win A Superbowl.”
              I doubt that any contract demands or specifies that type of language.

              Let’s face it, Kaep is getting paid for what he’s accomplished, for his ‘yet’ untapped potential, and for continually applying himself to his craft.
              The 49ers as a team were the second best team in football last season. Everybody who saw what Seattle did to the Broncos in the SB know that the 49ers are a top 5 team.
              So CK not achieving top 5 QB status is not such a significant issue when weighed against the top 5 QB’s. Remember a few of those top 5 QB’s did not make it to the SB either.

              Mid, who are the top 5 QB’s you are listing?

              1. What exactly does his new contract demand?

                At least top 10 play, stats, and results.

                Let’s face it, Kaep is getting paid for what he’s accomplished, for his ‘yet’ untapped potential, and for continually applying himself to his craft.

                He’s accomplished middle-of-the-road stats and two Super Bowl dream killing throws. And his potential has been replaced with expected results.
                So CK not achieving top 5 QB status is not such a significant issue when weighed against the top 5 QB’s. Remember a few of those top 5 QB’s did not make it to the SB either.

                Which is why he would have to win the Super in order to cancel that out.

                Mid, who are the top 5 QB’s you are listing?

                Do you want that list as to who I think is in the top 5, who’s stats are actually in the top 5, or who’s pay is in the top 5?

        2. Grant see if you can get a list of MWD’s demands to Kap so he knows what he has to accomplish.

          1. They have already been listed Rocket. Try looking before starting a fight for once.

            1. And they aren’t my demands. They are exactly what a QB being paid this much money is expected to do. The money demands it, therefore I demand it too. No excuses.

              1. Midwest- “That is exactly what a QB being paid this much money is expected to do.” There are about three QB’s who have recently been given contracts for about what Kaep was signed for. What have those QB’s done SINCE they signed those contracts, pretty much nothing. Not even close to getting a ring. So you see you criteria has absolutely no precedent and is nothing more than your own opinion. So you see they are actually your own demands.

              2. We can expect when Cam, Luck and Wilson sign their new contracts they will probably be either more or around the same figure as Kaeps contract. That would then make at least 7 QB’s who are demanded to win a Superbowl immediately. Being that they all are making the same amount of money and that money demands that they win a Superbowl immediately can you tell me how that could be a realistic expectation since it would be an impossibility. How could 7 Qb’s all be expected to all win Superbowls immediately. Come on Midwestdynasy- explain that to me.

              3. That’s not what I meant..I dont really care about stat so much…We’re a run first team..So we’re gonna be pass happy like The packers,Broncos,saints and patriots for Kap to even put up those passing stats.The whole team”has”to win championships..Nobody can win a superbowl alone.Brady,aaron,peyton and drew didnt throw to themselves

                Nice try, but you failed miserably. Take a look at those three QBs, or better yet, take a look at Tony Romo. He has had great numbers, but because of his choking in the playoffs or in crucial games along with poor decision making has caused many to question whether he is even worth his current contract. In other words, they feel like the money demands better results. I didn’t want Kaep to have that type of situation to deal with until he had the numbers or a Super Bowl title to back it up, but it’s going to happen if the fans, media, analysts, or players deem that Kaep isn’t playing up to the level of his contract. This isn’t my criteria at all. This is the criteria that is considered a part of any of the big QB deals.

              4. I don’t have to explain anything because the extension details back up what I have been saying Will.

              5. They are your demands. You are the one that keeps repeating what YOU demand. You’re just bitter and sound like you’re pouting because the quarterback you don’t like got a fat contract. it’s done. Deal with it.

              6. They are your demands. You are the one that keeps repeating what YOU demand. You’re just bitter and sound like you’re pouting because the quarterback you don’t like got a fat contract. it’s done. Deal with it.

                As I said, the money demads it ergo I must too. I’d rather have seen him develop for one more year and then get a big contract. I wouldn’t even have flinched if he signed a contract worth $30 mil/year in the 2015 off season. Would I still have thought it to be too high? Most likely, but he took the leap in development that everyone expected him then I truly wouldn’t have a qualn over it.
                Ahhh…the old ‘You Hate The QB’ trick. It never gets old or unpredictable.

  4. @JasonLaCanfora 18m
    Kaepernick’s deal includes a $12M signing bonus, and a base salary of $645K in ’14, w/$100k workout bonus, keeping a very low cap # this yr

    His cap number for 2014 is only $3.145M. This is only about $2M over what his cap number would have been. Who do they sign to an extension with the $7M left over?

        1. I didn’t think there was a chance in hell Mr. Crabs would resign, but after this deal, it’s clear the example has been set by the leader of the team, and it reflects his desire to retain Crabtree. Now I’m probably wrong, but I have this feeling Mr. Crabs shocks us with no diva like demands and agrees to a fair market deal…..

    1. Boone. Then Iupati or Crabtree depending on how reasonable their contract demands are. Extend Dorsey? If Aldon didn’t have his meltdown I’d put him in the conversation.

      Throw a small bone to Staley though the 49ers are not obligated to.

      Vernon can make Jamba Juice, then come crawling back $200K poorer.

    2. If I had to guess, it would be either Glenn Dorsey or Alex Boone. Iupati will probably wait until free agency to become one of the highest paid guards in the league, Crabtree will be flat out too expensive, and the team will probably move on from VD once his current contract is up. Aldon Smith is too much of a risk to extend at the moment.

  5. What did the 49ers gain by doing this deal now instead of next February?

    1. Other than not having to answer contract questions anymore & (maybe) saving ah mill or so ah year.. Not much.

    2. Excellent question.
      .
      I think it means they’re just plain sold on his abilities and they fully expect him to become a star.
      .
      Otherwise, why do this now when they didn’t really have to?
      .
      As you know, they’re not the type of organization that blindly throws money around.
      .
      He may not become what they expect of him but I definately trust their judement.
      .
      The fact that they’re doing this big of a deal now makes me really excited.
      .
      Also, the fact that he’s allowing them the flexibility to extend other players makes this even more enticing.
      .
      Sign Crabtree IMMEDIATELY!!!
      .
      .
      .
      *ALOHA*

    3. Why now?

      Waiting bit the Ravens. They could have nailed down Flacco for much less if they signed him in June 2012.

      The 49ers are gambling that Colin will have a good year. The contract would cost more if they waited and Colin showed good improvement.

      It also clarifies the cap space situation. Now they can move forward on other contract extensions. Like the draft, Baalke is methodical. He concentrates on biggest priority first, then maneuvers later.

      1. How much more would it realistically have cost the 49ers if they had waited a year? They’re already giving Kaepernick a record amount of guaranteed money.

        1. Realistically, I don’t think making this deal now saved them much money.

          However, as more details come to light it sounds like they may have done a reasonable job keeping the dead money component of the deal semi-reasonable, in case it doesn’t work out with Kaep as hoped. Perhaps if they waited a year they may have had less leeway in that regard…?

          1. Or they could’ve had more, especially if he didn’t up his his game like everybody is expecting him too.

          2. I suspect that a lot of the short comings people have attributed to Kaep might have been a result of the coaches game plans. The staff would realize this and not have given it as much weight as those that were not prevy to that information. It is always in a teams best interests under those circumstances to work out a deal before the player becomes a free agent and they have to bid competitively. Especially if they really expected Kaep to break out with the weapons on the roster this year.

            1. I suspect that a lot of the short comings people have attributed to Kaep might have been a result of the coaches game plans.

              That’s nothing but a Kaepology that will no longer have any merit thanks to this extension.

        2. They probably saved about $7-10M over the term of the contract.

          How long until the details become public?

              1. So the Niners may have saved 1 or 2 million in guaranteed money. That’s what it boils down to.

              2. We won’t know exactly what the risks are until we see all of the pieces of the deal.

            1. I’m guessing a lot more. Flacco got a $29M signing bonus right off the bat. Even if Kaep couldn’t get that much, he’d still probably easily get $20M….$8M more than his Cap friendly deal. Plus, the going rate for QBs is most likely going to continue to go up anyway so by next year his salary requirements would probably be higher.

          1. Worth the risk and cost if he became a top 10 QB AND won the Super Bowl.

            1. Would you hold every QB that gets that salary to the same standard or just Kaep?

        3. Depends on how well Colin did. If Colin improves and the 49ers win the Super Bowl, it would be higher. Its a clear gamble that Colin will have a better year compared to 2013.

          I can’t remember exactly where I read it… (I’ll try to find the sources). When Flacco was extended Baltimore talking heads were blasting the Ravens front office for not getting a cheaper contract before the 2012 season. They were in contract talks in Summer of 2012, but put them off once the season started. It was a significant difference… they could have easily retained Boldin with bucks left over.

        4. Also keep in mind that Kap is the first of the young QBs to get a 2nd deal. If Newton had done his first or Wilson next offseason, the numbers probably go up significantly, not to mention the cap is believed to be increasing a fair bit over the next couple of seasons. Being first insures the Niners get the best deal.

          1. Rocket—— Exactly. These things have to put in context with the big picture rather than just purely in a vacuum. Once Cam, Luck and Wilson sign their new contracts that should put things in perspective. I am truly amazed that this point seems to escape some people.

        5. Its also possible Colin was sincere about being flexible to make room for re-signing other players.

          His “low” $12M signing bonus might have been closer to Flacco’s $29M signing bonus had they waited till February.

          Another thing about Flacco (not sure this supports my position). He made $6.76 million next season in base salary along with a $2.1 in 2012 incentives according to NFL.com. The Ravens could have folded that into a 7 year contract in the summer of 2012. Would have satisfied Flacco’s ego with a headline grabbing contract total because it would have been a 7 year deal (like Colin’s).

          1. Ooops… Sorry. Typo correction below….

            Another thing about Flacco (not sure this supports my position). He made $6.76 million in 2012 along with a $2.1 in incentives (according to NFL.com).

            The Ravens could have folded that $8.5M into a 7 year contract in the summer of 2012. Would have satisfied Flacco’s ego with a headline grabbing contract total because it would have been a 7 year deal (like Colin’s).

    4. Let me know when you figure that out Grant because I’d like to know as well.

    5. The media grilling Kaepernick at every press conference at home or on the road and highlighting the good, bad and indifferent play every single game he plays throughout the season. In summary, less distraction.

    6. The reason they did it now is pretty simple. He’s their guy, and if you come to that conclusion you don’t let him get to FA. That’s how it’s done in this league.

      They saved some money, they can control the cap hits over 7 years, and they now know what cap room they have going forward rather than trying to negotiate this deal along with several others next year.

    7. they saved some money. even if Kaepernick played at the same level, he’s going to get paid. He’s worth at least the $13M or so a year he’s getting paid (over the 1st 3 years…which was probably benchmarked because of the franchise tag). and Kaepernick would definitely command far more signing bonus money later if they had waited.

        1. The cap is forecast to go up another 10 mill next year Grant. I think you are underestimating the difference between getting done now and next year.

          As was also said above, the price isn’t going down so why wait?

            1. Or if he was injured. He’s a big athletic freak, but his style of play increases his chances of getting injured.

            2. How do you see him taking a step back? He’s going into his second full season as a starter; not his 10th

              1. More interceptions, fumbles, bad passes, running when he should be throwing, etc.

              2. I know how it could be worse. I’m saying why would you think that with how quickly he’s developed as a pro QB?

                He was a top ten rated QB last year after 29 career starts. There’s no reason to expect a step back with another year of experience under his belt.

              3. You asked how he could take a step back and I gave examples of how.

                I’m saying why would you think that with how quickly he’s developed as a pro QB?

                Because it is possible. Does that mean that it will happen? No, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t either.

                He was a top ten rated QB last year after 29 career starts.

                He was top 10 in some areas and middle-of-the-road in others. That can’t happen when you’re being paid top 5 money.

              4. MidWest; You stated it is possible that he takes a step back. Yes it is. But is it probable? There is a difference. Anything is possible. Any time you sign a player there can be negative consequences. You seem to have totally unrealistic expectations which are reflected by you focus purely on the negative possibilities. You might try to learn the difference between “shouldn’t happen” and “can’t happen”. Your just pissed that they signed him to a larger contract then you would have. Well if it turns sour you can come back and say ” I told you so”. But until that time your rational has little merit in logic,

              5. Your post has no merit since the details of the contract support what I have been saying. Nic try though.

            3. And with being a FA there is no chance they would get any kind of deal regardless.

              1. He could be franchised in order to give sides time to get a deal done.

              2. Deal as in bargain. Having to blow the tag and the money it would take up against the cap would have been a terrible option considering all the expiring contracts next season.

              3. Having to blow the tag and the money it would take up against the cap would have been a terrible option considering all the expiring contracts next season.

                Doesn’t the tag disappear if they get a deal done before the start of the season?

              4. Yes but they would have a much harder negotiation under those circumstances.

                They had a big point in their favor that they wouldn’t have next season, and that is the fact Kap was only going to make a mill this year.

              5. Franchise tag? Grant??? Did I actually call you smart in my post yesterday! Stick to player evaluation, financial planning doesn’t seem to be your strong suit.

        2. Flacco got a $29M signing bonus, Colin $12M. On the other hand it might not be apples to apples until other aspects of his contract are examined.

          Even if the 49ers only saved a few million by signing now instead of February, it clarified the team cap situation. Now they can really get to work extending players (they choose to keep). Essentially, the 49ers have high confidence in Colin, and the early contract (with low signing bonus) might mean retaining a vital player for the near future.

          We will know for sure once Wilson and Luck are extended.

        3. no much??? Flacco got a $29M signing bonus. Most were guessing Kaep would get $30-$40M signing bonus.

    8. Grant,

      There are several reasons and an untold amount of money that would be put at risk by waiting until next Feb. (I’d think the people at the Press Democrat pay you to either know or research these things):

      1. Kaep agreed to take less signing bonus to help the 49ers keep other players – so that means potentially avoiding a domino effect with one or more of Boone, Iupati, Crabtree, Dorsey, Davis, etc.
      2. The salary cap is projected to increase between $10-15M next year. Considering the percentage going to the franchise QB – that would cost the 49ers roughly $2M/year on a deal with Kaep.
      3. There wouldn’t be the “cheap” year of 2014 to use as a 7th year in prorating the signing bonus (ups the cap hit another $2M).
      4. The 49ers have no leverage of “play for $1M and risk your career earnings” as incentive for Kaep to take a lower signing bonus or reasonable contract terms.
      5. “What if” he does have a fantastic year and wins a SB – as was the case with Flacco – that may cost them $2-3M/year.
      6. What if Cam Newton, Dalton (just added for completeness) or early in 2015 Luck or Wilson sign a huge deal – that potentially raises Kaep’s bar – especially if the jump in the salary cap is larger than currently expected.
      7. The early numbers are intended to make Kaep’s contract look like the biggest for a QB ever ($61M guaranteed, $21M/year, etc – yes, those are the agents representation of the contract and likely out of context but they aren’t by accident). That means any other top QB signing or increase in the franchise tag price for a QB would be a reasonable target Kaep’s agent would be using when he now has all the leverage.
      8. You are asking this question when you don’t even know what the structure of THIS contract is – so how the heck can you even compare to another hypothetical from next year? Say Kaep agreed to $3M this year, $12m 2015, $17m 2016, $20m 2017, $ $22m 2018, $25m 2019 and $28m 2020 … then this is a sweet deal until at least 2018 and by then, with the increase in salary cap, probably still a sweet deal.

      I could go on with other insight or analysis but, again, these are all points you should be making as part of the job you are being paid to do. Seems that recently, many of your articles are a quick paragraph posing a question to your readers … really? You get paid to ask your readers to debate breaking football news on your blog … while you sit back and collect a paycheck?

      I guess that’s why we don’t see you being quoted on ESPN or PFT while several of the journalists around you at the interviews & 49ers news conferences are being quoted as informative reliable sources with BREAKING news, insight and analysis.

      1. jsrider—Careful! You might make some peoples brains explode. lol. I think you actually overestimate journalists ability to function outside of their comfort area. Or most people for that matter. I have been around long enough to have lowered my expectations considerably.

    9. Probably gained nothing.
      His skeptics/supporters will be around whether he signed this year or waited until next year.

      It was a forgone conclusion that CK was going to get paid either way so like he said its good just to get it done and out of the way.

  6. Slightly team friendlier deal than i thought. When i first saw 6 for $126 mill i flipped. Now that more details are coming out , its not looking so bad. Now the question becomes , who do they extend next ?

    1. The headlines say “6 year extension” but its a 7 year deal. I don’t know the details yet but it seems to put Colin in the Jay Cutler range. About $18M per year if all the incentives are met. His signing bonus is a “cheap” $12M.

      In two years Colin will be about the 6th-9th highest paid QB. In four I’m guessing around the 8th-16th highest paid QB.

      1. No, it’s still $126 million over six years because he’s earning $625 K in 2014.

        1. Really? Colin is playing 2014 under his rookie contract? I thought this deal replaced it.

        2. Yes but they were able to add another 2 mill to his cap hit this year so they are looking at it as a 7 year deal.

          1. Correct, it should be looked at as a 7 year deal, with approximately $124M paid against the cap in the last 6 years.

            With only a $12M signing bonus, I’m very curious to see how the rest of the $61M guaranteed is structured, and over how many years.

        3. No, it’s $127M over 7 years because of the way the signing bonus is prorated. The $1M he was owed for 2014 (which is in there as the $625k plus workout bonus or some other items) plus the prorated signing bonus makes his cap number this year over $3M. That means that this year is part of this contract and his terms for this year have changed. It is a 7 yr contract which is a 6 yr extension.

  7. Looks like the Niner brass pushed all the chips in the middle and went ALL IN. I would love it if KAEP earns all that dough we’re giving him, make us proud!
    He may have top 10 talent, but mentally he’s near the bottom of the league.
    For the same amount of money, would you rather have Rodgers or Kaep? No excuses now. He better win it all and be the reason we did if we’re going to have him that much.
    I am secretly hoping the Niners did this to screw up the Seahawks because now they have to pay a ton of money to Russell Wilson, who has shown more maturity, poise, and oh yeah he has a ring!

    1. when are the stupid fans going to go away? seriously…read up on some of the details of the contract. normally, I don’t call out other posters for their intelligence…I’ll debate others over topics. but the idiots are coming out of the woodworks with knee jerk reactions without even bothering to read up on the subject.

      1. I’m guessing I figure prominently in that list of stupid fans whose intelligence you are questioning. Fair enough, I’ll let that slide this time as I did have a knee-jerk reaction. And I admit, I was wrong about the inclusion of roster bonuses in guaranteed money. Kudos for correcting me.

        The details of the contract are still murky, but it certainly does appear the contract isn’t as onerous on the 49ers as I first feared, and looks like it will give them the potential to void the contract without having to pay out the full $61M of ‘guaranteed’ money as you correctly pointed out. Well done.

        1. If the Niners terminate his contract early, wouldn’t the balance of it get accelerated?

          1. If large portions of the ‘guaranteed’ money is a rolling guarantee, then no. As I understand it, portions of his contract would only be guaranteed if he’s on the roster past certain trigger dates. If they cut him before those dates the money isn’t guaranteed.

            It will be interesting to see the full details of the contract.

          2. only the $12M signing bonus. I’m guessing there are either roster bonuses and/or option bonuses built into the contract. but those don’t go hard until they come around in later years. My guess is that in year 3 there’s a $15M-$20M option bonus. Which would then become guaranteed and spread over the remainder of the contract prorated. There are probably some more back end guarantees that will never see the light of day because they’ll be part of a renegotiation in the future.

        2. no, I was talking about the ones that complain about the contract and don’t bother to read the basic details that it is a team friendly contract with little commitment.

          1. Yeah, the more details that come out about the contract I have to say I’m pretty impressed with how cap friendly they appear to have kept it, while allowing them some outs without a lot of dead money.

            It would seem Kaep was serious when he said he was willing to accept a deal that would still allow the team to keep a lot of talent.

            1. Scooter I for one was sure he was not including you in his analysis of those knee jerk reactors. There is a difference between someone who questions and some one who reacts based on no knowledge of the facts.

      2. @AFFP

        We don’t have to read all of the contract; only his banker needs to know….and he’s even saying “…this is STUPID with a capitol stu”

      3. LOL! Ouch! The people coming out of the woodwork probably aren’t idiots, but they are the usual Kap bashers that love to constantly point out the negative aspects of Kap’s game instead of ever seeing the amazing upside and potential for greatness. These people are just bitter over Kap getting a huge contract so now it’s all about what he “better” do, as if they have any recourse if he doesn’t do these things. It’s annoying but really just more of the same from the same group. I don’t know who these people think should be the 49ers QB if it wasn’t going to be Kap, but I hope they’re not still pining over Alex Smith…

        1. Sanchez, Glennon and Fales are the quarterbacks Jack Hammer would feel just as comfortable with going into the 2014 Campaign…..

    2. He has a ring because his defense was better and so was his running back. How much maturity did Wilson show when he threw for 103 yards versus the Cardinals at the end of the season? Completing just 40% of his passes?
      Anomaly? No way. Two games later he threw of 108 yards in a playoff game. Did he show maturity and poise then?
      Fan, quit speaking in absolutes. I’ve never seen Wilson take over a game like Kaep can. See he hasn’t had to because his running game is consistent throughout the game especially when facing SF. When is the last time Kaep had a consistent running game throughout the game from his RB versus Seattle? I’m sorry I can’t hear you.

      So at least you are right on one point. Russel has a ring. So do Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer and Eli Manning….. Great defense can sure make a guy look good huh?

      And before I have to hear recycled garbage about SF’s defense being top five and elite, in the big games they sure didn’t play that way.

      In 2012’s NFC Championship game they helped put our offense in a 17-0 hole. They allowed the Ravens to put up 34 points in the superbowl. Last year while they held Carolina and Green bay in check, they allowed big play after big play to an offense and to a QB that had been pretty average in his last 6 games.

      Your agenda has been crystal clear for a while. A long while. But it doesn’t matter anymore because the folks the like Kaep now know he’s been paid and will be around for a while.

      1. “I’ve never seen Wilson take over a game like Kaep can.”

        The second half of the playoff game against Atlanta his rookie season.

        1. True,
          that was one hell of a game from Wilson. But the following year teams game planned him and kept him in the pocket.

          1. “But the following year teams game planned him and kept him in the pocket.”

            And he responded with a QB Rating of 101.3, 7th best in the league on throws from the pocket.

      2. Bay,
        To your point about great defenses, yes they can make a QB look good. And a good running back. The Niners D and Gore CARRIED this team way more the Kaep had last year.
        They took the team as far at they could, and then handed the moment over to KAEP to make the play in the red zone and we all know what happened. Justin Smith and Gore couldn’t make the throw for him. He did. End of story. The score could have been 80-79, and it doesn’t matter he had a chance to come through and didn’t. Those are facts. The rest are excuses.

        I’m not fond of KAEP 2.0. That’s done. Moving on. I hope KAEP 3.0 is a better version. He is bionic after all so maybe we can program him to look at other WRs not named Boldin and CRABs, to set his feet and make accurate throws.

        For 120 million, that’s what I want! Is it too much to ask?

    3. Fan,
      You must be a member of Mid’s “Demand Club” (lol).

      Your intentions regarding CK have been well documented. You’ve wanted immediate results from Kaep the moment he stepped onto the field. You can’t see past his 1 1/2 seasons of experience nor his two championship games (comeback win against the falcons) and a Superbowl appearance.

      Whether Kaep received a big payday this season or not, your opinion of him would not have changed. CK just rubs you the wrong way.
      There aren’t too many things about him that you like, but hey, now you have $126 mil more reasons to dislike him even more.

      Kaep is going to continue to grow and become much better at his craft. He could very well have a few SB’s under his belt when its all said and done.
      I guess you could say I’m more of a glass-half-full kinda guy.

      1. No AES. I’m a recruit of the Dark Side. They coaxed me to join with muffins.

        1. Mid,
          Ha!
          I might be coaxed with Krispy Kremes (lol).
          I call them cheerios on steroids.

  8. Due to predisposed suppositions that are in direct conflict with the evaluations of proven professionals….

  9. Stats and titles? Now you’re getting ridiculous mwd..lol
    Mid:
    “So you want a high priced QB that can only get middle-of-the-road stats and /or no Super Bowl titles? That makes sense.”

    No Mid, we’ve always wanted a QB that could bring us a SB win(s) since the days of Montana ad Young.
    If Kaep’ career ended today, than we would have every reason to rile against his stats, but signing him through 2020 gives him every opportunity to continue to improve at his craft while winning a few SB’ along the way.
    All good Mid.

    1. If Kaep’ career ended today, than we would have every reason to rile against his stats, but signing him through 2020 gives him every opportunity to continue to improve at his craft while winning a few SB’ along the way.

      His new extension won’t allow him that luxury AES. If it was after a season in which he was in the top 10 in every conceivably good stat and/or won a Super Bowl then I would agree wholeheartedly. But it isn’t.
      The demands and expectations are going to go through the roof thanks to this deal, and he isn’t going to be given a chance to continue to develop like he has been. The results are going to be expected immediately and Kaep will be classified as a disappointment or overrated if he can’t meet those demands. I was hoping that he would have another year of the previous expectations, but that is no longer a possibility.

      1. Mid,
        “The demands and expectations are going to go through the roof thanks to this deal, and he isn’t going to be given a chance to continue to develop like he has been. The results are going to be expected immediately and Kaep will be classified as a disappointment or overrated if he can’t meet those demands.”

        Mid, you seem to have an infatuation with the theme “demand” in your thread. I believe that every player or QB on a SB ready team knows the demands are always there. But those demands (I would venture to say) are not put there by the Org, at least in those terms.
        Sure, the Org has undoubtedly made it known to all its players that we have the talent to contend for a SB, but demanding it from them is a stretch because every team knows that there are countless obstacles along the way.

        The possibility of CK falling off the face of the football landscape is there as well, but I would put that at a remote chance at best. And the way the contract is written, the 49ers certainly seem to have protected itself from any failure on CK’ part in the future.

        Kaep’ contract is market price. He will continue to do everything in his power to ensure that he meets the equivalency of his contract on the field as well as off.
        That’s good enough for me.

        1. Mid, you seem to have an infatuation with the theme “demand” in your thread. I believe that every player or QB on a SB ready team knows the demands are always there. But those demands (I would venture to say) are not put there by the Org, at least in those terms.

          I know that AES, but it doesn’t change the fact that they will be coming harder than ever, that Kaep will have to meet them, and that he will be judged by how others expect his him to be whether he still needs to develop or not.

          The possibility of CK falling off the face of the football landscape is there as well, but I would put that at a remote chance at best. And the way the contract is written, the 49ers certainly seem to have protected itself from any failure on CK’ part in the future.

          I’d rather not see Kaep fall flat on his face or fail for that matter, hence why I was hoping for one more year of development under the previous expectations of him.

          Kaep’ contract is market price. He will continue to do everything in his power to ensure that he meets the equivalency of his contract on the field as well as off.

          I could care less what the market stipulates. It’s too high in my opinion and increases the level of scrutiny that a player will face. That goes for any player.
          I also know that he will continue to elevate his game, but will that satisfy the fan base if Kaep doesn’t get a ring or two? TBD, but the past QB history of the 49ers doesn’t exactly support a positive outlook if that scenario does happen.

          1. Mid,
            “I could care less what the market stipulates. It’s too high in my opinion and increases the level of scrutiny that a player will face. That goes for any player.
            I also know that he will continue to elevate his game, but will that satisfy the fan base if Kaep doesn’t get a ring or two? TBD, but the past QB history of the 49ers doesn’t exactly support a positive outlook if that scenario does happen.”

            Mid,
            Last year CK was paid peanuts and definitely not commensurate to his value to the team.
            But he still was among the first if not the very first player at the practice facility each morning and played every game with passion and intensity.

            If I recall, CK came under scrutiny last year and even after the championship loss to Seattle many used the departed Alex Smith as the measuring stick to gauge Kaep’ performances.
            Hey, AS is long gone, but the AS banner wavers will do what they do. To that end, I agree with your earlier take on how Steve Young was treated after Montana’ departure.

            Past history does not always dictate current and future events. Joe and Steve were great talents who were supported by a great cast of players, coaches, and front office.
            Kaep is also surrounded by great talent from top to bottom.
            This team along with CK is ready to go to another Superbowl, and win!

            1. Kaepernick’s 507 rushing yards ranks second among all quarterbacks in NFL postseason history, trailing only Hall of Famer Steve Young’s 594 yards….

    1. Absent a significant amount of fully-guaranteed money, Kaepernick should have sought a shorter-term deal with a chance to get back to the market while he’s on the right side of 30.

      I agree with this. It would have given him more time to develop, lessened some of the scrutiny that will most likely be coming, and given him and the team a better opportunity to become a Super Bowl dynasty.

      1. he most likely got what amounts to a 3 year deal worth about $13M a year…which is about what he would have paid had he been franchised tagged next year.

    2. Sorry Mr. Hammer. I didn’t see your post before I put the same link in. We don’t have the contract details yet, but it looks like Colin’s getting…
      – Jay Culter money
      – Paid out mainly during an expected higher cap era… so by percentage of cap Colin he will make less then Cutler
      – Structured in a way that allows the 49ers to re-sign key player(s) currently on the team.

      1. More contract details from Mike Florio talking about…
        – The guaranteed money is structured in a way that lets the 49ers move on from him in future years if they choose to.
        – Contract De-escalators (up to $12 million). To avoid a $2M de-escalator for a given season, Colin must play 80% of the snaps AND appear in the Super Bowl or be named All-Pro. Wow!
        (Does Cutler have anything like this in his contract? LOL)
        – Included in his contract totals are very strict roster requirements not seen in other major QB contracts.

        http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/05/the-full-kaepernick-contract-details/

        Florio: “…source also added that the 49ers are nevertheless “thrilled” with the contract, which allows them to control Kaepernick’s rights for seven years and to move on after any of the next six seasons.”

  10. @TerryBlountESPN: Carroll on Harbaugh: “I think Jim’s a great coach and we love beating him.”

  11. The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

    By the way, the past that some of you are using as the Gold Standard too place when there was no cap and the owner out spent his peers to such an extent that they invoked the very cap system the current 49er management is trying to manipulate to their advantage.

    Any possible Super Bowl wins will be determined by how well they do that cap management.

    Enjoy the trip. That’s all there is.

  12. Just saw the details at PFT and it’s a ridiculously good deal for the Niners. It’s essentially a series of one year deals they can walk away from whenever they like. Kap may wish he had hired a better agent.

  13. jeeze!!! from the PFT article

    “The contract also requires Kaepernick to purchase, with after-tax dollars, a disability policy that pays the 49ers $20 million if he suffers a career-ending injury.”

    1. The more I read these PFT articles from Florio, the more I think the 49ers got an absolute bargain. The de-escalators are stunning. To avoid a $2M per year penalty, Colin must play over 80% of the snaps AND make All Pro or play in the Super Bowl. Wow!

      1. Yeah I can’t blame any football player for holding out trying to get as much money as they can..front office don’t wanna pay u nuttin if they can help it..all those incentives..descalators.that’s crazy…San Francisco 49ers are all about keeping their nuggets fo sho..damn if kap didn’t have enuff pressure already..jeez

    2. Ok, I take back any negative comments I’ve made about this deal. If the PFT article is accurate, it is absolutely a great deal for the 49ers. I’m actually stunned by how team friendly it is.

      1. they made Kaep pay for his own $20M disability policy for financial protection in case of injury…..THAT’S COLD.

    3. Yep, this is basically the same deal that Alex Smith signed but with bigger numbers. The risk level to the team is almost nothing since they can cut ties at any point.

      1. about $12M at risk….but it’s not like they’re going to cut Kaep this year or next (most likely) anyway…so it’s not much of a risk. If something came up at the end of year 3, they could cut or trade him and only be on the hook for $6M or so. I’m guessing by year 3 some of the rest of the guaranteed money will start to kick in.

    4. After reading the extension details, I can come to a couple of conclusions:
      1) This is a fantastic deal for the team and will allow them to stay competitive and Super Bowl prime for the foreseeable future.
      2) While this is an excellent deal for the team, it also supports what I have been saying about the money demanding immediate results. The time that he could have had to further develop is now a thing of the past. He has to deliver or he could be out of a job just like that.

      1. I don’t think the contract has any impact on the Niner’s desire for immediate results. I think Harbaugh has shown that he has no problem what so ever making a change if he thinks it will better the team. So contract or no contract, if Kaep starts screwing up…if Harbaugh has an alternative on hand…he won’t hesitate to try it.

        1. He’ll lose money if he doesn’t take at least 80% of the snaps and win the Super Bowl or be named All Pro each season. Plus he can be let go at any time, so I think the team is expecting immediate results.

          1. So 2 nfc title games and a superbowl is worth a rookie contract, but not worth 18 mil a year? Damn, 25 qb’s in the league would be looming for new jobs if you were a gm. Your results are superbowl or not more than a rookie contract. Glad your just a fan!!!

            1. So 2 nfc title games and a superbowl is worth a rookie contract, but not worth 18 mil a year? Damn, 25 qb’s in the league would be looming for new jobs if you were a gm. Your results are superbowl or not more than a rookie contract. Glad your just a fan!!!

              Where exactly did you come up with that highly illogical statement? Better yet, don’t tell me because I don’t want to know. Instead, try looking at the extension details. They very clearly show that Kaep can lose money if he doesn’t meet all of the criteria in it and that he can be cut TV loose at any time. You can throw any claim or accusation out against until you are blue in the blue or your fingers get tired of typing, but it doesn’t change the fact that the extension details are pretty close to what I have been saying.

            2. ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….. that’s what Kaep’s contract stipulates.

              talk about not paying attention.

              1. ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….. that’s what Kaep’s contract stipulates.

                Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..that’s pretty well what I said, so who’s the one not paying attention?

          2. He’ll lose money if he doesn’t take at least 80% of the snaps and win the Super Bowl or be named All Pro each season.

            That’s not what the contract says, according to PFT.

            In each year from 2015 through 2020, however, there’s a catch. A big one. The total payout potentially de-escalates by $2 million per year, with up to $12 million potentially going away.

            Kaepernick can halt the de-escalation by taking, in any year of the deal , 80 percent of the snaps and if: (1) the 49ers appear in the Super Bowl; or (2) Kaepernick is named a first-team or second-team All-Pro. If he satisfies the requirement in 2014, the full $12 million remains. If he fails in 2014 but succeeds in 2015, $10 million stays. If he does it for the first time in 2016, $8 million remains. If he does it for the first time in 2017, $6 million stays — and so on until 2019, when if he satisfies the requirement that year for the first time $2 million stays in the deal for 2010. (Emphasis added.)

            Source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/05/the-full-kaepernick-contract-details/

            Another interesting feature of the contract is that, starting in 2015, Kaepernick will share the financial risk of missing games due to non-career ending injuries. From the same source:

            The contract also includes, starting in 2015, a whopping $2 million per year in per-game roster bonuses, an amount that one source characterized as “massive” in comparison to similar deals. It means that, for every game Kaepernick misses due to injury after the 2014 season, he loses $125,000.

            1. “The total payout potentially de-escalates by $2 million per year, with up to $12 million potentially going away.”

              That clause helps explain some of the moves this off-season.

              1. Like I said Claude, I wasn’t 100% correct. I’m not afraid to admit that I am in the wrong if I know it.

              2. Is anybody still having the problem of posts not going where you want them to?

            2. In each year from 2015 through 2020, however, there’s a catch. A big one. The total payout potentially de-escalates by $2 million per year, with up to $12 million potentially going away.

              Kaepernick can halt the de-escalation by taking, in any year of the deal , 80 percent of the snaps and if: (1) the 49ers appear in the Super Bowl; or (2) Kaepernick is named a first-team or second-team All-Pro. If he satisfies the requirement in 2014, the full $12 million remains. If he fails in 2014 but succeeds in 2015, $10 million stays. If he does it for the first time in 2016, $8 million remains. If he does it for the first time in 2017, $6 million stays — and so on until 2019, when if he satisfies the requirement that year for the first time $2 million stays in the deal for 2010. (Emphasis added.)

              Translation: He’ll lose money if he doesn’t take at least 80% of the snaps and win the Super Bowl or be named All Pro each season.

              1. I see the appear part now, so it’s true that I wasn’t100% correct, but he will have to win the Super Bowl in order to satisfy the fans. The QB history of the Niners unfortunately support that.

              2. He also doesn’t have to do it each year. The first time he does it, the de-escalation stops.

              3. MWD:

                We’ll see. My point, however, was that he doesn’t have to do it every season, which is what you indicated he had to do in order to stop the de-escalation.

          3. If the contract wording stipulations are accurate, it does not demand CK to win a SB, the wording is he must appear in a superbowl.

            1. No it doesn’t, but will that matter to anybody if he goes to more Super Bowls but can’t win them? Especially considering what team he is playing for? That answer is most likely a no.

              1. Mid,
                If I recall even the great Joe Montana and Steve Young did not win SB’s all by themselves.
                I believe those teams were comprised of future HOF players that certainly were part of the effort.

                One SB failure does not a career make. I’m willing to see an improved Kaep make a few more runs at a SB and hope for a better outcome.

                Mid, I guess there is one thing we can agree on; I’m much more hopeful that CK can win a SB then you (lol).

              2. Steve Young’s critics didn’t quit complaining about him unter after he won a Super Bowl in dominating fashion, and that still didn’t quiet all of the voices even to this day.

                One SB failure does not a career make. I’m willing to see an improved Kaep make a few more runs at a SB and hope for a better outcome.

                I agree, but I still would’ve liked to have seen him get another year of development under his belt, even if it cost the team $30 million a year in order to satisfy him after said year.

                Mid, I guess there is one thing we can agree on; I’m much more hopeful that CK can win a SB then you (lol).

                That may be true, but it’s not because of Kaep. I don’t feel like we improved enough on offense (especially at WR) in order to counter the Seahawks defense and its secondary plus help Kaep out. Too many possession WRs, the type of WR that Seattle can effectively take out of the game. I sincerely hope that I am wrong in this regard.

              3. …about him until after he won…

                What the heck is up with the Auto correct on my phone? Seriously, UNTER IS NOT A WORD! Unless you’re a caveman I guess.

      2. Jesus Christ!!!! Who are you? Vince Lombari? The only thing this contrat proves is that colin plays his azz off, and tries, yes tries harder and harder to be prepared and be better than he was the day before. Just like every other player on this team. He hasnt won the chip, but you better bet your azz he tries every year. The results are there, just not the ring. But im hoping he gets us a couple, but if he doesnt, it wont be for lack of trying. And this money still wont be wasted, because im willing to bet no qb coming out in the next 6 years will be better than this man. You and grant say why not wait to feb. I say why wait to feb? Then there was a possibility of say to all of your team and fans, you never know what you got til its gone. And by your strategy we risk not only winning a title and really having to overpay but also loose two years oftthe tag and bye bye colin. But thats what you guys want since 2 nfc title games and a super bowl apperance isint RESULTS enough.

        1. Are you through with the rant?

          The only thing this contrat proves is that colin plays his azz off, and tries, yes tries harder and harder to be prepared and be better than he was the day before. Just like every other player on this team.

          That is with any contract. What this one does is eliminate any extra time Kaep needed to develop and lays out some fairly high expectations from Day One.
          Every player tries to do their best, but unfortunately they aren’t judged by that. Instead, they are judged by what they did or didn’t do. And because of the ever increasing contracts, they are judged even more harshly.

          And this money still wont be wasted, because im willing to bet no qb coming out in the next 6 years will be better than this man.

          I am not even going to make that type of bet because I didn’t believe that Russell Wilson would get a ring before Kaep.

          You and grant say why not wait to feb. I say why wait to feb? Then there was a possibility of say to all of your team and fans, you never know what you got til its gone.

          Kaep could have gotten a much better deal if he had waited. And he wouldn’t have been gone, because if no deal was hammered out, then the team could have tagged him.

          And by your strategy we risk not only winning a title and really having to overpay but also loose two years oftthe tag and bye bye colin. But thats what you guys want since 2 nfc title games and a super bowl apperance isint RESULTS enough.

          So you believe that the team wouldn’t have been able to hammer out a deal after this season? Because I think they could have. Would it have cost more money? Sure, but it would have been worth it if only to give Kaep another year to develop.
          As for the results part of your weak rant, consider the fact that if such this extension would’ve been able to be legally done a year ago, then Kaep would be out $2 million and possibly facing massive scrutiny for finishing 20th in the league for passing yards, no matter whether the offense was tailored that way or not.

          1. “Every player tries to do their best….” *see Randy Moss and notice his alligator arms in the Super Bowl.

            1. Okay, let me rephrase that. Every player USUALLY tries to do their best (although there are some that just go through the motions or completely quit trying once their greedy butts get paid), but unfortunately they aren’t judged by that.

              1. The way he truthfully admitted he would not be in this position had Alex not helped educate him in the operation of a pro offense would make any parent proud. Very classy……

        1. Bar none: Not really for QBs who have received huge signing bonuses.

          MWD: It’s not clear that Kap is within the top 5 in terms of pay.

          1. If the numbers that we have seen hold up when the extension details are released, then he will be. The expected $61 million guarantee would alone be the highest in the league.

    5. Kap really didn’t want to make less than a mill this year apparently.

      And you said the team had no leverage. (If I did the emoticon thing, I would use the smiley face one here.)

      This deal is an incredibly good one for the 49ers.

  14. The 49ers cap number for 2015 now stands at $144,249,504 with only 52 players under contract.

          1. Claude,

            Florio’s numbers are incorrect, unless there has been a recent change to the CBA that allows for the signing bonus to be spread out over 6 years instead of 5.

            12,328,000/5 = $2,465,600 per year from the signing bonus, not $2.05M.

            1. Jack:

              The current CBA allows the 49ers to include the remaining year of Kaepernick’s rookie contract (in addition to the five years otherwise allowed in the agreement) when prorating the signing bonus.

              From Article 13, Section 6b(i)(4) of the current CBA:

              Any signing bonus given in connection with a contract extension entered into before the expiration of the player’s existing contract will be prorated over the remaining years of the unexpired contract together with its extension

              http://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/collective-bargaining-agreement-2011-2020.pdf

              Adding the remaining year of Kaepernick’s rookie contract to the 5 year max from the extension gives the team six years over which to prorate the signing bonus.

              MWD:

              Don’t confuse Florio’s rumor-mongering with his analysis of player contracts.

              1. Claude,

                Thank you for that clarification. It’s a decrease of $400K but doesn’t change the 2015 cap number that I posted above, which is actually a tad low due to me failing to include the dead money carried over as a result of the June 1 designation when they released Carlos Rogers.

              2. There also could be some carry over cap room from this year if they don’t use it.

              3. “There also could be some carry over cap room from this year if they don’t use it.”

                True. As it stands right now they are just under $145M for the 2015 cap, and if the cap increase is similar to this year it will be right around $144M.

                If they don’t use any of the $6M still on the cap for this season it would go towards next year, giving them about $5M to work with. They could also gain $2M if they fail to reach the Super Bowl this season.

                As far as restructures go, they could gain up to $9.3M alone by restructuring Kaepernick’s contract.

              4. No problem. I’m just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get back to you.

                I am a big fan of the way this contract is structured.

          2. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald count for over 12 mill between them. They won’t go into the season with those numbers if they return at all. There are also a number of contracts they can rework on there.

    1. remember earlier today before the contract details came out? You and I were debating the size of the signing bonus. You guessed $35-$42M. I guessed $32-$35…or something like that because Flacco’s signing bonus was $29M. Most football analysts were guessing something in mid 20’s to 30’s range in the very least.

      I wonder if any of the Miami stuff put Kaepernick in a lesser vantage point for negotiating? Because the more we learn about the details of the contract, the more it seems Kaepernick’s side had some sort of disadvantage.

      1. The disadvantage was Kaep. He said he wanted to keep the contract cap friendly and he did. Give him some credit. He is his own harshest critic. Dud just loves to play football and has he said money is secondary to him. His contract proves he meant what he said.

    2. Will be interesting to see how much the cap rises in 2015. Its expected to increase a lot.

      Even so, there will be some players needing to renegotiate or be cut.

  15. Wow Baalke and Paraag come out looking like absolute bosses.

    Great Job by the FO. They covered their butts at every corner. What do you think now Grant?

    1. Leo- I give less credit to the front office than I give to Kaep. He decided to play football when he could have made a lot more money at baseball because he loved the game. If he wanted to he could have waited until this season was over and had more leverage. The odds with the increase of weapons available he would have had a far better statistical year. The guy loves football and wants to win. He did exactly what he said he would do in respect to making his contract team friendly. He thinks it is a privilege to play the game. I think he sets a good example not only in his work ethic but in valuing winning and team above personal gain. He proved it by this contract.

      1. Baalke and Paraag did a great job and Kaepernick did exactly what he said that he wanted to do. I may be the only person eighty or older who has followed the 49ers since 1946, who takes Colin at his word. I admire him for who he is, and I admire his parents for the way they raised him.

        Enjoy.

        1. His contract is Colin’s vote for himself, for his team, and for their team concept. He is getting paid enough by his standards. He is happy. The team has an amazing platform from which to plan for the future starting right now.

  16. Like many of you I’m sure, when the first number hit I was concerned but this is why we shouldn’t doubt Baalke and Paraag on stuff like this. If Kaepernick turns into an “elite” QB we have him locked up for til 2020, if he doesn’t we can draft a replacement and move on at any point. Perfect deal.

    1. One more time don’t give Baalke and Paraag too much credit. If there had been a long negotiation then you might have a point. The deal was struck very quickly. Common sense tells you that it was at the direction of Kaep to his agent to make it team friendly. They went in with that objective which is why it didn’t involve a lot of haggeling. Remember he said he wouldn’t ask for a contract that would gut the team financially. Kaepernick has a sense of ethics that most of you do not understand so you assume it was the front office who was responsible.

      1. Even if you were 100% correct in your supposition that Kaepernick and his agent went in with that attitude, there is no reason they would go in SEEKING a contract that amounts to 6 one year deals. That’s just silly as that particular stipulation only really helps the team financially if they cut Kaepernick.

        1. Kaepernick is betting on himself, his coach, and his teammates. It’s simple. Sometimes we miss the most simple things in life because we assume ulterier motives.

          Enjoy.

          1. No doubt, not assuming ulterior motives at all. Everyone wants and hopes Kaepernick sees every penny of that 126M, I’m just giving Baalke/Paraag the props they deserve for still accounting for the worst case scenarios and giving themselves an out.

          2. *sigh* really?

            seriously, it’s not ulterior motives.

            it’s common sense for an agent to get what the market dictates.

      2. I agree with you in a replay to Leo above, but it still took good work for Baalke and Paraag to achieve Kaepernick’s goal in a way that also achived the 49er’s goals.

  17. Wondering if Crab will look at the structure of Kaep’s contract and maybe agree to something similar. A way to get paid if he performs. Doubt he would pay for his own injury policy though…. He’s been bit by that bug one too many times.

  18. Who in the hell is telling CK he has a nice smile and asking about “nice Colin” and “difficult Colin?” That reporter is a total jack ass. Players and coaches don’t live their lives to be nice to reporters while the are asking idiotic questions during the season. This reporter is totally self-absorbed and seems to think the players are simply a necessary evil to their jobs as journalists. Some guys in the bay area media are way too arrogant. Ask CK about his offseason workouts and what he’s doing to earn his contract. There was only one question about what it will take for him to improve in order to win a superbowl. Kudos to that reporter. All the other questions were about what would he buy or why is he being so nice or where did he get his socks. These guys in the bay area are ridiculous.

    1. Houston, Couldn’t agree more. It’s the first time in a year Colin is willing to talk and some moron wants to ask not one but two questions about socks?

  19. I wouldn’t have advised one of my kids to sign such a contract, but I admire Kaep’s spirit and courage. “OK, Niners, you’ll extend me, great! Let’s sign what YOU think is fair and move on. I have only one requirement: Give my family some security. After that, I want to play football, is all.” We are lucky fans. Now let’s see what Crabtree, Iupati, and Boone are truly made of.

    Another thought: If Kaep is concerned at all with maximizing his income under the terms of the deal, he’ll convert to a pocket quarterback. Starting now, there’ll be less relying on his legs. Can a zebra can change its stripes?

    1. If Kaep is concerned at all with maximizing his income under the terms of the deal, he’ll convert to a pocket quarterback.

      The contract (per game roster bonuses, de-escalator provision) certainly gives him multiple financial incentives to do so.

    2. One other thought: This contract suggests to me that the team did want to wait another year but he forced them into something to put the issue behind him.

      1. To me, it suggests that Kap was willing to trade the possibility of a bigger payday in 2015 for a “below market” contract in 2014 that put > $12 Million in his pocket right now.

        1. That’s why I said that. I am supposing that they wanted him to finish his last year, he wanted security, and this was the compromise. The team gives him 12 and controls his rights for six years. That’s the tradeoff. He maximizes by performing at a very high level and avoiding injury. A very team friendly deal, and well worth the 12, in my opinion, because the more he plays and learns, the better he will get. He has the potential to be one of the great ones.

    3. Except for a rib injury in the playoffs against the Lions, Steve Young suffered his worst damage in the pocket. That includes the hit, missed block, that ended his carrier.

  20. Gotta give it up for the Niners on this one. No team in the league does a better job of leveraging a player’s fear of getting injured now to negotiate a team-friendly deal.

    Staley’s deal is the posterchild for this. Bowman’s deal… A. Davis’ deal… All below market value.

    And I think it’s a big reason why we haven’t re-signed Iupati. Sounds like he wants a max deal. And that won’t/can’t happen. Let’s just hope that Iupati has a great year, we win the SB, he gets his max deal with someone, and we collect that 2016 compensatory 3rd rounder.

    1. You make a good point. Maybe after having sustained a serious injury last year, Iupati will come to the table.

  21. I’ve tried to get into Justified but I’m not getting it. Aside from Olyphant being the only one that seems to be taking it seriously the rest of the production feels like a police themed soap opera. Some of the situations have been just plain unbelievable and I’m really disappointed to learn that Leonard was actually involved in the production because the dialogue is terrible at times.

    The only thing that has allowed me to finish the entire first season is that I was also trying to watch Fargo but that show is easily the most overrated thing on TV at the moment, now that Breaking Bad is done. Martin Freeman clearly wore out his copy of the movie trying to perfectly imitate Macy’s role which is a travesty because Freeman is wildly talented and could have carved out his own character. I also can’t believe that anyone would take Thornton’s character seriously on that show and the rest of it just falls apart after that for me.

    With Mad Men’s BS half season antics leaving me wanting I’m desperate for a decent TV show to watch at the moment. Game of Thrones does nicely but it’s almost done for the year as well.

    1. I’m having a hard time getting into Game of Thrones, although I do think Peter Dinklage is great in any role.

      1. I’ve come to realize that the genre isn’t for everyone. I have a good buddy and he and I tend to agree more often then not on shows and movies we like but he too has a hard time “getting into it.” I absolutely love it, it’s nerd porn. Plus the added benefit of it actually being a high quality production with really fantastic acting. The T&A doesn’t hurt either.

        1. I do not know if the Black list is your thing but James Spader is awesome in that! If you have on demand or NBC could be repeating the episodes or buy the season 1 disk when it comes out soon.

          1. Thx for the suggestion, my wife really enjoys that show but it’s not for me. I do usually like Spader in most things he does.

        2. If you like Game of Thrones and that type of genre, try Penny Dreadful.

          1. All you had to do was tell me that Eva Green was in it and I’ll staple my eyelids open so I can’t possibly miss a second of it(her.)

    2. I’ve watched 3 episdoes of VEEP and I don’t think i’ve actually laughed once, what do people see in that show?

    3. Put in the last disc of season 1 of Justified last night, I always watch the entire first season of a show unless it’s just plain dreadful(I’ve given up on Fargo.)

      And of course the episode that I watched last night as easily the best one so far, that’s what happens when you open your mouth to say you don’t like something I guess.

  22. Geez

    we start out talking about football, and end up in a p***ing contest between blog bean-counters. Now that we’ve established the fact that the Yorks are NOT broke, can we get back to football?

    1. I have to agree with you here George. I don’t disagree with all players looking to get their worth while they still can. Boone is a perfect example of a player being underpaid according to his value to the team. Boone plays his butt off and has come a long ways and I think he deserves to get paid.

      But Vernon is not only getting paid good money, has been getting paid throughout his career and has absolutely nothing to complain about. The guy is one of the best at his position, but his paycheck shows that. He is getting up in age and I think he has absolutely no leverage whatsoever with this holdout. We have plenty of weapons and a younger, bigger 2nd round pick waiting for his opportunity. I hope Niners don’t move an inch and hold their ground. He’s been one of my favorite players on this team and its truly a shame.

      1. At last, someone who agrees with me! (Just kidding.) Very well said, Leo. Certainly his ego has finally gone too far. He may have lost his marbles. “Every decision that I make is in the best interest of my brand.” Next time my wife asks me to take out the garbage and I think it’s not full yet, I’ll tell her about the best interest of my brand.

        1. VD is being led down this path by his agent, who is the one who advised Vernon to go with selling futures in his income. Much discussion today around the media about the wisdom vs pitfalls of this approach. I’m no Investment Counselor, but I wouldn’t advise this course of action. Personally, I have no intention of ever doing a reverse mortgage.
          As to the holdout with two years left? It’s evident from the CK deal that the FO has a detailed plan for the needed sequence of signings and re-signings. Should they throw that out to accommodate Vernon’s personal investment strategies? I’m skeptical. But I love Vernon as a player and guy in the locker room.

      2. The Boone holdout is really interesting. As you say, he has a good case. But some others do too, so what do they do? Can they take care of Boone and those others together? This will be a challenge for the front office, but they are good at what they do, so maybe they’ll be able to do it without busting the bank.

  23. Houston 9er
    June 5, 2014 at 7:33 am
    “Who in the hell is telling CK he has a nice smile and asking about “nice Colin” and “difficult Colin?” That reporter is a total jack ass. Players and coaches don’t live their lives to be nice to reporters while the are asking idiotic questions during the season.”

    Houston,
    Perhaps his big contract “demands” it (lol).
    Nah, JK.
    But I would have a big smile of my face if I just signed a huge contract like CK. And it wouldn’t bother me one bit who the reporter was that asked the question.

    In the words of the great (former raiders radio announcer) Bill King; “he looks like a split watermelon, smiling from ear to ear.”

  24. $ 61 million dollars’ worth of what?

    charming…confident…curt
    Maybe.

    Whether or not we are talking elite here
    will be determined by Kaepernick’s performance
    in the Niners last game of the season, okay?
    If you lose (i.e. no Lombardi trophy #6…) then
    you and Mr. Harbaw will still suck eggs.
    Expensive eggs, but a diet for losers nonetheless.

    Make it happen, fella. Oh yeah, maybe now you can
    afford to wear a suit and tie for your press conferences.
    NO MORE HEADPHONES & SWEATSHIRTS…!!!

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