NaVorro Bowman: Colin Kaepernick situation not currently a distraction
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San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman believes the trade rumor surrounding quarterback Colin Kaepernick is not currently a distraction for the team, reports ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez.
“When the season rolls around, I think it will be a distraction,” said Bowman. “But right now, guys are just focused on what we have to do. I’m sure upstairs (the 49ers’ front office) and Colin are trying to get everything right.”
Kaepernick’s agent has asked the 49ers for permission to seek a trade this off-season. A potential trade of Kaepernick to the Broncos was reportedly on hold because the quarterback would not oblige to taking a pay cut, nor were the 49ers willing to pay off part of his contract. Kaepernick was present for the 49ers’ first meeting of the season, and is set to collect a $400,000 bonus if he attends 90% of team workouts this off-season.
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The 28-year-old’s $11.9 million salary for the 2016 season became guaranteed when San Francisco kept him on the roster on April 1. The 49ers could have released or traded Kaepernick before April 1.
Kaepernick finished the 2015 season with a career-low passer rating of 78.5 and completed only 59% of his passes with six touchdowns and five interceptions. He lost his starting job to Blaine Gabbert in Week 9 before being placed on IR due to a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder.
