SANTA CLARA – Quarterbacks T.J. Yates and Matt McGloin signed contracts Monday with Buffalo and Philadelphia, respectively.
Meanwhile, the 49ers opened their offseason program, and Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned. Two of his former teammates expressed surprise that Kaepernick remains unemployed.
“I’ve seen some quarterbacks who got signed that, in my opinion, Kap is way better than,” 49ers running back Carlos Hyde said. “But, you know, I’m not a GM. I’m not a head coach. So that’s out of my league.”
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While some teams might not have been interested in Kaepernick for football teams, such as his style of play does not fit particular offenses, there are clearly other factors at play, too.
Kaepernick chose to kneel during the playing of the national anthem last season as a protest against racial inequality in America. His decision was controversial. Although he reportedly plans to stand during the national anthem this season, there is no guarantee he will ever get that chance from the sideline of another NFL game.
“I think he’s proven that he can play at this level,” 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman said. “He’s made a choice that’s kind of had a little backlash from it. But I think he’ll be fine. Someone will give him a job. He’s not like a bad guy or anything. So I think that’s what matters in the NFL, if you can play level and your character is great. So I wish him the best.”
Kaepernick was voted as the winner of the Len Eshmont Award last season as the 49ers’ most courageous and inspirational player.
San Francisco 49ers
He started the final 11 games of the season. His passer rating of 90.7 was his best mark since 2013, his first full season as a starter. Kaepernick threw 16 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He also rushed for 468 yards.
The 49ers have shown no interest in re-signing Kaepernick. Instead, the team opted to sign veterans Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley.