49ers Have Discussed Trading Colin Kaepernick With “Several” Teams, Talks Haven’t Gone Further Than That

49ers GM Trent Baalke told reporters on Tuesday at the owners meetings that he has spoken to “several” teams about possibly trading QB Colin Kaepernick. However, trade talks haven’t gone any further than that.

“I’ve had discussions with several teams and it’s gone no further than that, as the agents have had several discussions (with teams),” Baalke said, via CSN Bay Area. “We’re nowhere near getting anything done at this point.”

Matt Maiocco reports that the 49ers have spoken with the Browns, Broncos and Jets, but Baalke said they’ve yet to receive a formal trade offer for Kaepernick up to this point.

“What we told them was that they were open to exploring options,” Baalke said. “But our intent was for him to be back and to go to work. . . He’s under contract and until that changes, our expectations don’t change.”

Baalke explained that their decision to allow Kaepernick to seek a trade is a way of allowing the player to determine what his options really consist of.

“Because I think sometimes it helps players work through anything they may have,” Baalke said. “It gives them a chance to see what their options really are. It also gives us a chance to say we didn’t hold you back from doing that.”

Last week, reports said that trade talks involving Kaepernick have cooled off. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers are expected to still have him on their roster as of April 1.

However, the 49ers are expected to attempt to Kaepernick during this year’s draft.

At one point a few weeks ago, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Kaepernick was going to be traded, most likely to the Broncos or Browns. But there has been so little buzz about a deal since then that it really seems like he could be competing for the 49ers’ starting job along with Blaine Gabbert.

Kaepernick, 28, is entering the third year of his seven-year, $126.97 million contract that included $61 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $13.9 million for the 2016 season.

While those numbers are impressive on their own, the contract is essentially a pay-as-you-go agreement that includes ways for San Francisco to walk away with limited repercussions, as long as Kaepernick is healthy.

The April 1 first is especially important in regards to Kaepernick, as his base salary becomes guaranteed for the 2016 season at that point.

According to OverTheCap.com, trading Kaepernick would free up $8,493,493 in available cap space and create $7,397,260 in dead money.

In 2015, Kaepernick threw for 1,615 yards while completing 59.3 percent of his passes to go along with six touchdowns and five interceptions over the course of eight games. He also added 228 yards rushing and a touchdown.

We’ll have more regarding Kaepernick as the news is available.