49ers GM not ready to slam door on Colin Kaepernick

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that the team would consider bringing back Colin Kaepernick - if the quarterback is interested.

Kaepernick is expected to opt out of his contract before free agency opens next week. But during a meeting this week, which Lynch described as open and transparent, the 49ers made it clear they’d like to have him back.

“As I mentioned after that meeting, we had a real nice meeting,” Lynch said. “There was a great understanding and I think we both agreed that under the current construct it wasn’t going to work out. But, we said let’s not close the door.”

Under the circumstances, Kaepernick might be the 49ers’ best option.

“Well, I know that we don’t have any (quarterbacks) really under contract. I know Kaepernick is, but just seeing (Wednesday) that he’s going to opt out in a week or whenever that is, we don’t have anybody on our roster,” new coach Kyle Shanahan said. “So I’ve thrown them into the category of everybody else who are free agents and possibilities going into the draft.”

ESPN also reported Thursday that Kaepernick will stand during the national anthem this season.

Lynch also said the 49ers interviewed Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer on Wednesday.

“This whole thing’s not about an interview, but if you were grading him on that alone he blew the doors off it,” Lynch said. “He’s an impressive young man. His film’s very impressive.

ELWAY’S TAKE

Take it from someone who’s done it - John Elway predicts Lynch will go from superstar on the playing field to successful front office man.

Said Elway: “John’s a very bright guy. He knows football and ultimately that’s what that position is about. He’s got a lot to learn administratively and the rules that go along with that but John’s smart to know what he doesn’t know.”

Once Lynch gets familiar with the ins and outs of his new job as 49ers general manager, Elway thinks Lynch will “do very, very well.” Elway also endorsed Adam Peters, the 49ers’ new vice president of player personnel who was plucked from the Broncos’ personnel department. Elway called Peters a “hard worker and a great talent evaluator” whom he didn’t want to lose but was glad to see get the opportunity alongside Lynch.

NFL IN MEXICO

Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith and Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio both said they enjoyed their time in Mexico City last season.

Del Rio gets another chance because the Raiders will host the Patriots there next season.

“We loved the experience going down and playing in that environment,” he said. “It was a great environment. Look forward to going down again. I would love it if somehow, the commissioner could make sure that every other year we have it as a road game and not always a home game for us. Don’t really look forward to playing nine road games and seven home games, so other than that, though, it was a tremendous experience and look forward to going down there and embracing it.”