49ers’ Baalke: Kaepernick will ‘absolutely’ be on roster on April 1
Baalke said head coach Chip Kelly is eager to work with Kaepernick, who is still rehabilitating after undergoing three surgeries since late November. Baalke acknowledged the Kaepernick isn’t guaranteed a starting spot, but said the prospect of paying a backup quarterback nearly $12 million wouldn’t be unprecedented. Baalke became a bit exasperated when it was noted the 49ers would publicly insist Kaepernick was in their 2016 plans if they wanted to boost his trade value. [...] the bottom line is all these guys -- right now that are under contract -- are under contract. During the season, Kaepernick wasn’t pleased about several unflattering reports from anonymous sources and didn’t dismiss the idea that some came from the 49ers front office. [...] we’re going into the offseason program with a new coaching staff, very little familiarity with the guys on our team, and these guys are excited to get their hands on these (players) and go to work. The 49ers and Kaepernick’s representatives will meet in Indianapolis this week, but Baalke said that such a sit-down wasn’t unusual at the combine. If Kaepernick stays with the team he would compete with Blaine Gabbert and, possibly, another quarterback for the starting spot.