Editor’s note: Matt Maiocco is in Indianapolis to cover the NFL Combine. Check back for his comprehensive coverage and catch his nightly updates on SportsNet Central.
INDIANAPOLIS – General manager Trent Baalke and coach Chip Kelly have expressed their desire to retain quarterback Colin Kaepernick the past two days at the NFL Scouting Combine.
But Kaepernick reportedly does not share their enthusiasm to see his union with the 49ers continue.
[MAIOCCO: Chip Kelly: Colin Kaepernick wants to play for 49ers]
Kaepernick’s agents have requested permission from the 49ers to seek a trade, NFL Network’s Rand Getlin reported on Thursday. Kaepernick is represented by Scott Smith and Jason Bernstein of XAM Sports.
Smith and Bernstein negotiated Kaepernick’s $115 million contract extension he signed in June 2014. Kaepernick is scheduled to make $11.9 million in base salary this season – a figure that becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on the 49ers’ roster on April 1.
Smith, Bernstein and 49ers executives were not immediately available for comment.
That news of Kaepernick’s trade request comes just hours after Kelly told reporters who cover the 49ers that it was his belief that Kaepernick wanted to remain with the 49ers.
[RELATED: Baalke: Kap will remain on 49ers in April, 'can't predict tomorrow']
“He wants to be here,” said Kelly, who met with 49ers beat reporters for an hour Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He’s never expressed to me that he doesn’t want to be here. He expressed to me that he was excited about getting healthy and getting going. And we’re excited about him getting healthy and getting going.”
Kaepernick is currently rehabbing in Vail, Colorado, after undergoing surgeries on his left shoulder, right thumb and left knee.
On Wednesday, Baalke was asked if he envisioned Kaepernick on the 49ers this season. His answer: “Absolutely.”
But in an earlier session with Bay Area reporters, when Baalke was pressed about Kaepernick remaining on the team and not being traded, he did not rule out any conclusion.
“Bottom line, all of these guys under contract are under contract and the expectation is to move forward with them,” Baalke said. “I can’t predict tomorrow with anybody. The expectation is he’s on our roster. I’ve stated that multiple times.”
