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Colin Kaepernick to stand during national anthem next season

By Brad Berreman

Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) smiles after a 22-21come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) smiles after a 22-21come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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As he prepares to become a free agent, Colin Kaepernick is ready to keep a lower profile before games.

Last preseason, Colin Kaepernick became a controversial figure when it was noticed he sat during the national anthem and a photo made the rounds. That evolved into kneeling during the national anthem throughout the regular season, as a call for social justice, and other players around the NFL followed suit.

Kaepernick eventually took over under center for the San Francisco 49ers last season, starting 10 games, throwing for over 2,200 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also finished second among quarterbacks in rushing yards with 468, with two more scores on the ground.

Kaepernick has hired new agents, and they have reportedly told all 32 teams Kaepernick will opt-out of his contract with the 49ers. Once that is official, Kaepernick will become a free agent when the new league year starts next week. With an eye on keeping the market for his services as wide as possible, a step back from controversy is coming.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kaepernick will stand for the national anthem next season. He apparently no longer wants his protest method to overshadow positive change he thinks has been created, including increased conversation about social injustice and support from other pro athletes.

Kaepernick, by certain measures, played fairly well for the 49ers in 2016. His running ability seemed to be back, along with 100 percent health, and just four interceptions in 331 pass attempts has to be noted. The peak of 2012-2014 is not coming back, but Kaepernick should have little trouble finding a new team based on his play.

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Among teams that are in the market for a quarterback this offseason, the New York Jets have one of the clearest paths to a starting job. Kaepernick’s kneeling during the national anthem may not play well in a big market like that, and his decision to stand will probably keep teams from seeing a possible distraction before they see a potentially suitable quarterback option.