Chip Kelly wants 49ers to have depth at running back

With the 49ers intentions to keep Kaepernick, it seems that the only way another team will get their hands on him will be via a trade. It appeared the Niners were poised to move him off the roster before the April 1 guaranteeing of his entire 2016 salary, worth $11.9 million.

Whether Kaepernick’s agents have actually requested permission to seek a trade or have simply told reporters that they have, the cat is now out of the bag – if it wasn’t already. Astonishingly, Gabbert also managed a higher rushing average, given Kaepernick’s strengths on the ground.

“You’re not going to take that away from him”, the 49ers’ coach said.

“Coach (Chip Kelly) is real open to that, and it makes sense when you travel east coast”, Baalke said.

The report runs counter to what Chip Kelly told reporters on Thursday. “I’ve had some contact with him”, Baalke said, “but I have no idea what his status is at this point”.

The 49ers brass is expected to meet with Kaepernick’s representatives this week. So that could lower what teams would offer San Francisco And while the quarterback’s talent is undeniable, so is the fact that he’s been one of the worst quarterbacks in the league the last two years.

Speaking at the NFL Combine, Eagles top personnel executive Howie Roseman was asked whether the team was exploring other options at quarterback besides Sam Bradford, an impending free agent.

Of course, the 49ers do not have to grant the permission or agree to trade Kaepernick to a preferred destination even if they allow talks. Baalke also noted that his team would have “two guys” competing for the starting job, including Blaine Gabbert, who took over from Kaepernick last season after the latter was benched amid a 2-6 starts and poor play.

I think so, because Kaepernick would presumably agree to a new deal as part of a trade agreement and the surgeries were relatively minor. You can just look at the tape and know how talented he is. “As he knows, he’s got to get more consistent catching the football, but that’s something he continues to work on”, Baalke said.

One possible scenario is that Kaepernick has met Kelly and likes him about as much as his former players in Philadelphia did. Kaepernick’s 2016 now looks to be spent either with a new team or in an unhappy marriage with his current one.

Hayne played eight of 16 games last season, running the ball 17 times for 52 yards. “It’s an important position, and it’s our obligation to make sure we are looking at every avenue to improve our team”.