I'm probably just helping his cause by giving Blaine Gabbert's backup quarterback any acknowledgement at all, but I think it's time the 49ers cut ties with their once prized possession and cut Colin Kaepernick. He did enough to get paid but that's about it. As soon as the 49ers inked their young quarterback to a 6-year extension worth up to $126 million, his arm died on him and he was never the same. Here's a few reasons why the Niners should cut Kaepernick.
Locker Room Presence
Even before Kaepernick decided he needed one last grab for attention, he was never popular in the locker room. Arguably the best receiver at his disposal, veteran leader Vernon Davis, had his fair share of disputes with Kaepernick, and so did young sensation Aldon Smith. That is two entirely different personalities in the locker room that share one mutual belief in that Kaepernick isn't a good teammate. I can't say for sure, but I have a good feeling not much has changed since their departures.
Blaine Gabbert.
If you watched the game against the Rams last Monday, it wasn't hard to realize that Blaine Gabbert isn't an NFL caliber quarterback, let alone starting quarterback, but all that means to me is Kaepernick must be looking awful in practice. If the same franchise that offers you $126 million wants to continue to watch a boring Blaine Gabbert offense over having you on the field, that speaks louder than any sort of pregame rituals.
13
Although on the surface the 49ers gave Kaepernick $126 million, only $13 million of it was fully guaranteed. To Niners fans who are hesitant to part with a player who brought them so close to The Vince Lombardi Trophy, it might just be good business at this point.
Ultimately, I think the 49ers will only consider this when either the media coverage starts to noticeably affect the locker room or it completely dies down and eliminates any potential backlash from the decision.