Colin Kaepernick can actually earn more money in 2016 with his new contract

Kaepernick will make his first start of the season on Sunday in Buffalo

Colin Kaepernick's path to returning as 49ers starter was eased by his willingness to alter his contract, and he stands to benefit from the new deal in 2016 more than he did previously, sources said. In addition to being able to hit free agency after this season and void the final years of his deal, Kaepernick can also earn more in 2016 than he could previously under his old deal.

For the 49ers, the reworked contract frees them of a $14.5 million injury guarantee in 2017 that they would have been responsible for under the quarterback's old contract had be suffered a significant injury while playing in 2016. The sides had been talking about possible alterations to Kaepernick's deal since last year, sources said, and these most-recent negotiations reconvened in earnest about three weeks ago, a process that came to a close when the quarterback agreed to the deal early in the week.

Kaepernick's full $12 million salary, plus an additional $1.4 million in future bonuses, are now fully guaranteed in 2016 as well. Furthermore, according to sources, if Kaepernick ends up playing 34 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps for the season, he gets an additional $1 million in 2016, sources said. If Kaepernick were to play roughly half of the team's snaps for the remainder of the season, he would be on pace to achieve that bonus.

The 49ers also purchased a $7.5 million insurance policy for Kaepernick, protecting him financially if he's injured to the point that he can't play next season.

The 49ers' starting quarterback in Super Bowl XLVII, Kaepernick will make his first start of this season on Sunday in Buffalo.

Kaepernick fully plans to exercise his right to void his contract, sources said, and he has a window beginning a week before the start of 2017 free agency to formally notify the 49ers of his decision. That window closes two days before the start of free agency; if the quarterback does not opt out by then, then the 49ers retain his rights moving forward and his 2017 salary of $14.5 million would become fully guaranteed on April 1 (assuming the 49ers didn't cut or trade him prior to that in the event Kaepernick actually did not void the deal prior).

The 49ers coaching staff is hopeful that Kaepernick can unlock more downfield options in the passing game with his big arm and get speedy receivers like Torrey Smith involved. Blaine Gabbert was last in the NFL among starting quarterbacks in yards per attempt.