Colin Kaepernick Says He’ll Leave for Russia If He Doesn’t Get the Respect He Deserves in the U.S.

“That was an organization that, at the end of the season, goes through and evaluates personnel and opportunities. That was something, I sat down with my team and did the same thing,” Kaepernick told reporters. “That’s how we handled the business.

“We were looking at different opportunities. I really don’t want to get into specifics of what happened, why things happened. At this point, everything is football. I’m a 49er.”

After helping the Niners reach Super Bowl XLVII and becoming the team’s full-time starter in 2013, Kaepernick has regressed each of the last two seasons.

He was eventually benched midway through 2015 after throwing six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts. With Blaine Gabbert taking over at quarterback, Kaepernick was later placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery. He spent the offseason in Vail, Colo., rehabbing from three surgeries in the last five months, on his left shoulder, left knee and right thumb He reported in April for the start of the 49ers’ offseason training program, guaranteeing his 2016 salary of $11.9 million. He has yet to do any team drills, but did throw this week during the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp.

He’s been at the Niners’ facility on a daily basis since April, though he admitted he has not spoken with San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke.