Colin Kaepernick has elected to become a free agent after the season, but the decision doesn't rule out him being the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, according to NFL Media.
Earlier this season, Kaepernick restructured his contract to void the final three years of the deal, which was set to run through the 2020 season, and also give him the right to opt out after this season, which he will now pursue.
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As part of the restructured deal, the 49ers didn't want to risk having to pay Kaepernick $14.5 million in 2017 if he gets hurt this year. With Kaepernick now playing well despite San Francisco's 10 straight losses, the 49ers might be more inclined to pay Kaepernick a lower salary with more guaranteed money instead of the current pay-as-you-go model.
NFL Media believes there will be plenty of suitors for Kaepernick this offseason, but he'll likely use that interest as a negotiating ploy to get the most appropriate deal for him with the 49ers, who have stood by him through the kneeling during national anthem controversy.