San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly did not take part in a formal press conference at the 2016 NFL Combine, but he sat down with 49ers beat writers on Thursday for an hour-long discussion. Naturally, there were plenty of questions about Colin Kaepernick, and his status with the team. Matt Barrows, Eric Branch, Cam Inman, and Matt Maiocco all have some early articles up discussing the comments. They all include some similar quotations, but all of them have one or two the others do not have.
Kelly met with Kaepernick face-to-face last month after the former was hired as the 49ers head coach. He said he was since spoken on the phone with him to get updates on the quarterback's rehab progress. Kelly said Kap is progressing, and sound like someone who wants to be around.
"He wants to be here," Kelly said. "He has never expressed to me that he didn't want to be here. He expressed to me that he's excited about getting healthy and getting going. And we're excited about him getting healthy and getting going."
Kelly talked about the injuries Kap dealt with last year, and how they likely impacted his performance.
"I think people forget about that," Kelly said. "He had a shoulder, a thumb and a knee that are legitimate. He's the only guy I know that went on IR and everyone forgot he was injured. There's a reason he was on IR. There was something wrong with him, so I think getting a healthy Kap is an important thing. I've talked to him a couple times and getting updates on him rehabbing and he seems excited about where he's headed and how that's coming."
The money line though had to be when he talked about Kap's talent.
"You can just turn on the tape and know how talented he is. Our job is acquiring talent, not getting rid of talent."
None of this means Kap will definitely be back in 2016. Chip Kelly and the Eagles dealt away plenty of talent. They thought it would improve the team, and it is safe to say we can take most coach and GM speak with a grain of salt. I would like to see Kap get another shot in San Francisco, but it might end up being best for all involved for him to end up elsewhere this offseason. Whatever the case, that's what Kelly had to say.