The 49ers gained a chunk of cap space this week when Carlos Rogers‘ 2014 cap hit was officially reduced by $6.6MM, and the team appears set to use that room to help facilitate a new deal for quarterback Colin Kaepernick. According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the Niners and Kaepernick’s reps will have a face-to-face meeting in Santa Clara this week to rekindle extension discussions.
A lack of cap flexibility was just one factor in the Niners postponing extension negotiations with Kaepernick until now. San Francisco tabled talks in April when the Miami Police Department began investigating an incident involving the signal-caller, with the club opting to wait for more clarity on the situation. The fact that the Niners feel comfortable moving forward with discussions now – meeting in person for the first time since the draft combine in February – suggests the team feels nothing will come of that investigation, writes Barrows.
Back in March, San Francisco GM Trent Baalke expressed confidence that the two sides would be able to work out an agreement before training camp opens this summer. If a deal is agreed upon, it figures to put Kaepernick among the highest-paid signal-callers in the NFL — he’s reportedly seeking an annual salary in the neighborhood of $20MM+ on his next contract.