Grant Cohn: 49ers coach Chip Kelly's pro-Colin Kaepernick talk taking on a hollow ring

Is it possible Chip Kelly never wanted to coach Colin Kaepernick in the first place?

Kelly says he’s excited to coach Kaepernick, says he’s a big fan of his. And those statements may be true. But here’s what’s certain: The Niners gave Kaepernick permission to seek a trade and meet twice with Denver Broncos general manager John Elway.

The Niners aren’t exactly fighting to keep Kaepernick. They seem like they’re escorting him from the building and trying not to make a scene.

Kelly might be the main escort-er, according to ESPN reporter Dianna Marie Russini. Picture Kelly wearing brown uniform with a walky-talky on his shoulder as he tells Kaepernick to move along and take it outside.

“From the start, Kelly REALLY didn’t want him,” Russini tweeted. She didn’t tweet anything else on the subject.

Maybe Russini is speculating, or misinformed, or flat-out wrong. We don’t know. But, we do know she’s a terrific reporter who is right most of the time. If she’s right this time, here are five reasons why Kelly might want Kaepernick off the team.

Reason No. 1. Kelly may prefer Blaine Gabbert, who, unlike Kaepernick, actually wants to play for the 49ers and seems to be improving. Last season was Gabbert’s best as a pro. He posted almost identical stats as Brock Osweiler, who recently signed a four-year contract worth $18 million per season with the Houston Texans. Maybe Kelly sees that kind of value in Gabbert’s future.

Reason No. 2. Kelly may want to take a quarterback early in the draft. New head coaches usually get to hand-pick a rookie to develop into a franchise quarterback. Think Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick, or Bill Walsh and Joe Montana.

Kelly may fall in love with one of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks - Jared Goff, Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch. But, Kelly probably can’t justify drafting one of those guys in Round 1 or Round 2 as long as the Niners still have Kaepernick and his expensive contract.

Kaepernick may be in the way.

Reason No. 3. Kelly could think Kaepernick will poison the attitude of the team.

Remember, Kelly failed in Philadelphia partly because some of his players turned on him. Kelly can’t let that happen again. Has to make every player on the 49ers buy into his system and respect his leadership, and Kelly can’t do that if the highest-paid player on the team, the only person other than the center who touches the ball every offensive snap, wants to play for another franchise.

Reason No. 4. Kelly may not want to answer daily Kaepernick questions.

As long as Kaepernick remains with the 49ers, the media will hammer Kelly with the same questions during every press conference. Questions like: What is Kaepernick’s attitude? How is he responding to the quarterback competition? How is he interacting with teammates? How is he acting in meetings? Is he engaged? Taking notes?

These questions could wear down Kelly and his assistants until the rest of the team seems like a sidelight or an afterthought.

Reason No. 5. Kelly may not want his players answering daily Kaepernick questions, either.

Questions like: How is Kaepernick affecting team chemistry and the culture in the locker room? How is Kaepernick performing in practice? Is he enthusiastic? Who does he eat lunch with? Does he ever take his headphones off? Is he a distraction? What do the players think about the Kaepernick saga? Do they think he should agree to take a pay cut just so he can get a fresh start somewhere else?

Players don’t want to answer those questions. Players have egos. They want to talk about themselves, not about a quarterback who doesn’t want to be their teammate and never has been to a Pro Bowl and may not be that good.

Until the Niners get rid of Kaepernick, his presence will dominate every press conference, every practice, every aspect of the franchise. He’ll be like the little pebble in your shoe that causes total foot discomfort and makes you change your stride. Or your shoe.

The Niners should change nothing for Kaepernick. Just remove the little pebble and press on.

Grant Cohn writes sports columns and the “Inside the 49ers” blog for The Press Democrat’s website. You can reach him at grantcohn@gmail.com.