49ers plan on keeping Kaepernick
INDIANAPOLIS — So much for the notion of Colin Kaepernick playing for anyone but the 49ers this season.
San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke effectively quashed that speculation Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, saying he “absolutely” expects Kaepernick to remain on the Niners’ roster in 2016.
Kaepernick’s future had been in question after the quarterback lost his starting job last season, then received a lukewarm endorsement from new coach Chip Kelly upon Kelly’s hiring last month.
Kaepernick’s $11.9 million salary also becomes fully guaranteed April 1, but any thought San Francisco would part company with him because of all those factors went out the door Wednesday.
“There’s not a lot of quarterbacks that make it to free agency,” Baalke said.
Kaepernick now will compete with Blaine Gabbert for the starting job Gabbert took from him last season.
“The good thing is we have two guys that have gone in and proven they can play,” Baalke said.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Denver is in “no hurry” to hear from Peyton Manning about whether the quarterback plans to retire.
Kubiak’s statement appeared to be little more than public courtesy, though, because the Broncos will need a decision by March 9. That’s when Manning’s $19 million salary would become fully guaranteed for the 2016 season.
“It’s about him taking his time to work through some things, think through some things,” Kubiak said. “There’s no hurry here. We want him to enjoy what just took place and we’ll go from there.”
Denver also needs to know Manning’s decision so it can intensify contract talks with potential freeagent passer Brock Osweiler, though Kubiak made it clear Wednesday the Broncos don’t plan to let Osweiler get away.
Auburn running back Peyton Barber, who surprised observers by declaring early for the NFL draft in January, explained Wednesday his decision was prompted in part because his mother is currently homeless.
Barber, a projected third-day pick, said the financial boost from the NFL is needed to help his mother.
“Right now, she’s staying with my sister,” Barber said. “It’s her and her three kids staying in an apartment back home.”
Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced he has stepped down from his influential role on the NFL’s competition committee because of the timeconsuming logistical headaches involved with the team’s move back to Los Angeles.