San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will be with the team in 2016, as general manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday, Feb. 24, that Kaepernick will be on roster on April 1, when his $11.9 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed. However, Baalke alluded that Kaepernick would compete for the starting job with QB Blaine Gabbert. Kaepernick carries a salary cap hit of $16.8 million this year, which ranks 16th among quarterbacks. He’s under contract through 2020, but the Niners can release him in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before April 1 each year befor3e any remaining money in his contract is guaranteed.

Footballguys View: It’s possible Kaepernick loses the battle, but his big play running ability should give him a significant edge over Gabbert, who was still pedestrian when he was playing the best football of his career in 2015. Kaepernick should benefit from more simplistic reads in the passing game in Chip Kelly’s offense. If he is going to make it as a starter or a fantasy relevant quarterback again, this is an ideal situation.