The San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Colin Kaepernick have agreed on a six-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $126 million, with $61 million guaranteed. Kaepernick was entering the final year of his rookie contract and could have been a free agent next March. Ian Rapoport of the NFL network was first with the news of the deal.
The #49ers have agreed to terms on a 6-year mega-extension with star QB Colin Kaepernick that could eclipse $20M per year, source says.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2014
For #49ers QB Colin Kaepernick: It’s a 6-year extension worth up to $126M with $60M guaranteed, source says. Under contract through 2020
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2014
To be specific, the Kaepernick 6-year extension includes $61M guaranteed, the highest ever.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2014
Kaepernick has been the 49ers starter since taking over for the injured Alex Smith mid-way through the 2012 season. In his two years at the helm, he led the club to a Super Bowl appearance, and an NFC Conference Championship appearance. He was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Nevada.
In 32 career games (23 starts), Kaepernick has thrown for 5046 yards, with a completion percentage of 59.8, 31 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions for a passer rating of 93.8. Part of the new generation of mobile quarterbacks, Kaepernick has also rushed for 937 yards on 6.0 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns.
The deal came together relatively quickly with Kaepernick and the 49ers reportedly resuming negotations yesterday.
Forty-Niners coach Jim Harbaugh has previously said that his star quarterback should get a big contract. “He deserves that. That’s what he deserves,” Harbaugh said in March. “That’s what the market pays for that job. Nobody attacks it more than he does. Nobody wants to be great like he does.”
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