Colin Kaepernick: “I’m always ready to step on that field”

Following the San Francisco 49ers' embarrassing 37-18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, quarterback Colin Kaepernick was asked by a reporter if he was physically and mentally ready to play if he was asked to do so.

"Yeah. I mean, I think I showed that in the last preseason game," said Kaepernick. "I'm out at practice every day working and making sure that I'm ready for when that time does come."

Kaepernick was asked if he thought that it might happen against the Seahawks and if he was ready for that. "Oh yeah," answered Kaepernick. "I'm always ready to step on that field and looking forward to that opportunity."

RELATED Recap: 49ers suffer embarrassing 37-18 loss to Seahawks

Following Sunday's loss, head coach Chip Kelly said that he had not given any thought to pulling Blaine Gabbert in favor of Kaepernick. "I thought he played OK," said Kelly of Gabbert.

Gabbert won the starting job during an offseason and preseason competition with Kaepernick. While Kaepernick's name remains in the headlines because of his national anthem protest, Gabbert's play has been erratic at best for the 49ers offense. Kaepernick was the starter for the 49ers entering last season, but was eventually benched in favor of Gabbert and placed on injured reserve.

Over his career Kaepernick has passed for 10,030 yards, 56 touchdowns and 26 interceptions. He was drafted by the 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft and took over at quarterback during the 2012 season following an injury to then-starter Alex Smith.

h/t to Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) for the Kaepernick quotes