49ers owner: Kaepernick 'can be a big piece of what we're doing, going forward'

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York isn't ready to give up on the idea of Colin Kaepernick remaining with his team for the long term.

Kaepernick's agents reportedly requested permission to seek a trade out of San Francisco for their client. York neither confirmed nor denied such a request was received.

"All I can tell you," York told Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News, "is that the last conversation I had with Kap was a good conversation. I asked how he was feeling. I hope he's doing well. I care about his health and well-being because I think he can be a big piece of what we're doing, going forward."

Pressed for comment on reports Kaepernick's team has requested a trade, York restated his desire for Kaepernick to remain with the team.

"I haven't talked to his people," York said. "And I try to stay away from what the agents say. I know what our feeling is. We want Kap to be healthy. And we'd like to see Kap here."

York's stance falls in line with what we've heard from 49ers head coach Chip Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke all offseason. They want Kaepernick on the team - or, at the very least, they want to make it seem like they do, to preserve as much trade value as possible.

With Kaepernick under contract for the next several years, York and company are under no obligation to grant a request for a trade, if indeed such a request occurred.