The San Francisco 49ers are denying reports that they are looking to trade Colin Kaepernick, but if that happens, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears could be interested and this comes with Frank Gore leaving in free agency for the Eagles or Colts and that could lead to CJ Spiller, Torrey Smith and Cecil Shorts as free agent targets along with Greg Hardy and Terrance Knighton.
The 49ers come into the offseason with a new head coach in Jim Tomsula after the Niners dismissed Jim Harbaugh and after losing Gore they could look at Spiller in free agency. Early reports have Smith looking at the 49ers as his next team, as he is set to leave the Ravens, while the talk about Kaepernick has been bubbling for a little while. According to Pro Football Talk, the 49ers have denied the rumors that they are looking to trade Kaepernick, saying that a report from KBME radio in Houston holds no weight.
Kaepernick is coming off of a down season and with the way his contract is structured, the 49ers can get out of it without any major financial penalties after each of the next five years. While the team likely will keep Kaepernick for now, the trade talk likely was real, as the Eagles have been working the phones a great deal this offseason. The team already dealt LeSean McCoy and there is a chance they could move Nick Foles. The Eagles are hoping to get Marcus Mariota, but if that falls apart, there is a chance they could go big and get Kaepernick.
Frank Gore is on his way out of San Francisco and NFL.com reports that CJ Spiller could be a potential target for the team. Spiller reportedly has interest from at least seven teams, including the Patriots, NY Jets, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. The Niners are prepared to give Carlos Hyde a bigger role, but they also may look at adding a veteran running back on the market like Spiller or Shane Vereen.
According to Jim Trotter from ESPN.com, the Niners are "feeling good" about signing Torrey Smith this offseason, as it has been confirmed that he will not return to the Ravens. The team is likely not bringing back Michael Crabtree and that makes Smith a logical target. According to Bleacher Report, the 49ers are interested in Greg Hardy, with the Falcons, Jaguars, Titans and Colts listed as other potential landing spots for the troubled defensive end. So much for winning with class Trent Baalke (if it's true).
While the Niners may not end up trading Kaepernick, one should beware when Trent Baalke or Jed York speaks, because both were supportive of Harbaugh until the two sides had a "mutual agreement" to part ways. The team also felt they were going to keep Gore and said so, but he ended up nearly leaving for the Eagles for a contract worth $7.5 million guaranteed over the first two seasons, although now he may have some "cold feet" and could sign with the Colts.
The Niners also lost a leader on the defense, as Patrick Willis is set to retire for the team at age 30.
