INDIANAPOLIS — The 49ers don’t appear likely to give in to Colin Kaepernick’s trade demands — at least not right away.
That was the consensus of several NFL executives Friday at the scouting combine in the wake of the San Francisco quarterback’s suddenly public wish to be dealt.
Kaepernick’s demand came just hours after Niners general manager Trent Baalke said the demoted passer “absolutely” would be on the San Francisco roster this season, even after losing the starting job to Blaine Gabbert and even though his $11.9 million salary becomes fully guaranteed April 1.
The Niners likely would have no shortage of interested parties if they decide to trade Kaepernick, with executives from other teams identifying the Jets, Browns, Broncos, Texans, Rams and Eagles as potential destinations.
Neither Baalke nor new 49ers coach Chip Kelly commented publicly in response to reports of Kaepernick’s desire to be traded, but executives from other teams said they expected San Francisco management to try to talk Kaepernick into staying before vigorously exploring a trade.
Baalke signaled the Niners’ intentions to do exactly that this week by taking part in a meeting with Kaepernick’s agents just hours after saying he had no plans to do so.
Kelly, who had been publicly non-committal about Kaepernick after being hired in January, also suspiciously and suddenly warmed to the quarterback this week.
Kelly rarely speaks with the media outside league-mandated appointments but surprised the Bay Area reporters Thursday by asking for a lengthy interview session in which he repeatedly praised Kaepernick.
“I think he’s a really talented football player and I’m excited to get working with him,” Kelly said Thursday, apparently realizing the trade demand from Kaepernick’s agents would be made public soon after.
“[Kaepernick’s] really good. I mean, he had the ball on the 5-yard line [intending on] taking the team in to win a Super Bowl just a few years ago. You can just look at the tape to see how talented he is.
“You know, our job is acquiring talent, not getting rid of talent.”