Colin Kaepernick took a parting shot at outgoing 49ers coach Jim Tomsula, and sounded less than certain that he will be with the team in 2016 as well.
The 49ers somewhat surprisingly fired Tomsula after just one year and a 5-11 record. Tomsula presided over Kaepernick's forgettable 2015 season, replacing him with Blaine Gabbert in the second half of the season.
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Kaepernick, who did not agree with his midseason benching, was asked about what he thinks are qualities of a strong head coach.
"Winning -- ultimately, that's what makes a good head coach," Kaepernick said, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "You have to be able to lead 53 players into a game and have them win."
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That statement could easily be considered shade against the ex-49ers coach, but one thing that might have helped Tomsula was a healthier Kaepernick.
The quarterback has had myriad injuries during his time in San Francisco, including having a metal rod inserted in his lower left leg just before the start of his rookie season, according to the Mercury News.
Kaepernick underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. He also is having his left knee and right thumb issues, and will soon travel to Colorado to have all three injury parts examined.
Kaepernick said he suffered the thumb injury during an Oct. 22 loss to the Seahawks. He also has a bone bruise and cracked cartilage from a Nov. 1 loss to the Rams.
"I'm under contract. I'm a 49er," he said. "I'm doing everything I can to make sure I'm prepared for next season."
It is expected that the 49ers will release Kaepernick before April 1, when his guaranteed salary of $11.9 million kicks in for 2016. The quarterback sounded confident he'll be on a roster then, but didn't specify it would be San Francisco's.
"To me, that's not a date I'm concerned with," Kaepernick said. "I feel like I'm going to be playing football regardless of April 1, April 2."
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