San Francisco 49ers: Jed York Muddies Waters In Kaepernick Situation

San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York had the chance to clear the air about the Colin Kaepernick situation – but only further muddied the waters.

More from San Francisco 49ers

• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
• 49ers sign TE Daniel Helm off the Buccaneers practice squad
• 49ers: Jordan Reed could miss up to two months, will be placed on IR

To say the situation with San Francisco 49ers quarterback – for the moment – Colin Kaepernick is in flux would be an understatement. With 49ers CEO Jed York, GM Trent Baalke, and new HC Chip Kelly all saying one thing – after several weeks of saying nothing – and then having Kaepernick’s camp come back saying the opposite, the soap opera from last season seems to be picking up right where it left off.

York could have ended all of the back and forth, as well as the rampant speculation about the direction of the 49ers as well as the future of their signal caller and one time face of the franchise by simply answering a few questions directly and forthrightly.

Instead, York dodged the questions and played cute little word games rather than providing solid clarity. His duck and dodge routine has only further muddied the waters which has kept the rumor mill churning and the soap opera rolling.

After a terrible 2015 campaign that saw him benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert, most have been expecting the 49ers to release Kaepernick at some point this season. Especially given the fact that he carries a twelve million dollar price tag next season.

But with the hiring of Chip Kelly, the narrative began to change. Given the type of offense Kelly runs, many began to speculate that Kaepernick could be the right man for the job considering he’s a big, strong, mobile quarterback.

Of course, Kaepernick’s problems with accuracy, anticipation, and at times, reading defenses might make him less than ideal for the job.

However, over the last few days, York and Kelly have been bending over backwards to give the impression that they are eagerly anticipating having Kaepernick in the fold when the offseason work gets underway and that he is most definitely in their plans moving foward.

And who knows, perhaps they are and he is.

Then again, it’s also possible that the impression they are striving to create is one for the benefit of any potential suitors out there who might be in the market for a big, strong, mobile quarterback. Why would they do that? To drum up interest in a trade, of course. Why would they let Kaepernick walk away with no compensation if they can somehow get something out of the deal?

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Kaepernick’s representatives though, have seemingly thrown a wrench into any plans the 49ers might have in either keeping the quarterback or dealing him for whatever they can get by making it known that he wants out of San Francisco.

And as one would imagine, the idea that Kaepernick wants to be dealt – or that San Francisco actually wants to keep him – has been the subject of a lot of speculation, debate, and consternation over the last few days.

York could have ended it all and given people a clear indication of the team’s plans moving forward during his sit down interview with a hand picked journalist from the Bay Area – Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News. Instead, York did nothing of the sort and only ensured that the 49ers would remain in the news – though not necessarily for the right reasons.

When asked if the team is going to grant permission for Kaepernick to seek a trade, rather than answer the question, York gave a convoluted answer worthy of any presidential candidate on the campaign trail.

"“I think there’s so much tampering that takes place . . . which the NFL has kind of taken the governor off of, a little bit, in terms of what they allow to happen in Indianapolis . . . the tampering that took place in terms of what happens in free agency. So would it shock me that people are talking? It wouldn’t shock me. But I think our guys have said very clearly that we’d like Kap to be part of the San Francisco 49ers.”"

Uh huh. Glad we got that all cleared up. To his credit, Purdy asked the question again though, trying to nail York down about whether or not the 49ers would grant permission for Kaepernick to seek a trade. And again, rather than dumping cold water on the dumpster fire that is the Kaepernick rumor machine, he only threw more gasoline on it.

"“I’ve been around the NFL long enough to know that you don’t need to grant agents permission to make phone calls. So, again, we’re not actively doing anything. I can’t stop somebody from reaching out. But our opinion is, we’d like Kap to be here. And I think when you look at what Chip’s offensive philosophy is, I think Kap is a very good fit for that. I think Chip has said that. We expect Kap to be here.”"

You don’t have to be a MENSA level genius to be able to read between the lines of what York is saying here. He “can’t stop somebody from reaching out” is simply politi-speak for “he’s listening to offers but he can’t – or won’t – make the first move.” If somebody wants Kaepernick, they’re going to have to pick up the phone and call him first.

Related Story: Kaepernick Situation Kicks Off Soap Opera Season

If York is truly as committed to Kaepernick as he – and Baalke, and Kelly – say they are, he could have put the wildfire of rumors out with a few simple words. Perhaps something like, “We believe Colin Kaepernick is the right person to run Chip Kelly’s offense, end of story.”

Instead, we got dodges, deflections, and plenty of obfuscation. The waters between the 49ers and Kaepernick only got muddier as a result of York’s bob and weave interview. And given what he did say, it sounds an awful lot like they’re only creating the impression that all is well and they’ll be genuinely happy to see Kaepernick in a 49ers jersey next season.

Next: Justin Smith Contemplating Return To NFL?

But an impression is all it might be. If there aren’t any takers out there willing to throw at least a couple of draft picks at San Francisco in exchange for the once promising quarterback, we very well could see him sent packing before his salary becomes fully guaranteed on April first.

If York’s goal was to keep the 49ers in the spotlight, he succeeded. If he wanted to make it known that although they’re saying one thing about having Kaepernick remain in a 49ers uniform, he’s actually available to anybody looking to play “Let’s Make a Deal,” he succeeded again. But if York’s goal though, was to provide direction and clarity for Kaepernick and for fans, he failed miserably.