When Colin Kaepernick took a knee with the San Francisco 49ers, he had a teammate that did it alongside him — Eric Reid. Even though Reid protested with Kaepernick, he has played in the NFL in recent years, while Kaepernick has not played since the 2016 season.

Reid was ultimately on the 49ers for five seasons and last played in San Francisco in 2017. Kaepernick played for the 49ers for six seasons. So, which player made more money in San Francisco?

Colin Kaepernick was successful on the San Francisco 49ers

In his rookie season in 2011, Kaepernick threw only five passes. However, in his second season in 2012, he became a star. 

Kaepernick ultimately led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, after starting in seven regular-season games that year. The 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl. However, Kaepernick threw for 302 yards and a touchdown in the game and ran for 62 yards and a touchdown. 

In 2013, Kaepernick and the 49ers went back to the NFC Championship Game. Kaepernick threw for 3,197 yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions that season.

However, Kaepernick and the 49ers missed the playoffs each of the next three seasons. This was despite Kaepernick throwing for a career-high 3,369 yards in 2014, and running for a career-high 639 yards. 

The 2016 season was when Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem to stand up against racism and police brutality. He threw for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only four interceptions in 11 starts and 12 total games that year. 

He, however, has not played in the NFL since that season, and many believe that has to do with the controversy around his protests. 

Eric Reid was a Pro Bowler in San Francisco

The 49ers selected Reid in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, the offseason after the team went to the Super Bowl.

In his first season, though, Reid earned a Pro Bowl selection at safety, the only Pro Bowl selection of his career so far. He racked up 77 total tackles, four interceptions, and had 11 passes defended. That was, however, probably his best season statistically with the team. 

In 2014, Reid had 41 total tackles and three interceptions. He then had 71 total tackles in 2015, but no interceptions. Then in 2016, he had 62 total tackles and one interception, and he had 67 total tackles and two interceptions in 2017. 

Reid then played for the Carolina Panthers in 2018 and 2019. After recording 71 total tackles and one interception in 2018, Reid had a monster year in 2019. He did not have any interceptions, but he racked up a career-high 130 tackles. 

He is now a free agent, though, after the Panthers released him in March, according to CBS Sports.

Did Colin Kaepernick or Eric Reid make more on the 49ers?

Kaepernick only played in one additional season with the 49ers. He, however, made a lot more money while he was there than Reid did.

In six seasons from 2011 through 2016, Kaepernick earned an estimated $43.47 million, according to Spotrac. This large number has a lot to do with a contract extension he signed with the 49ers, which was ultimately reworked and led to him opting out of the contract after the 2016 season, according to ESPN. Kaepernick ultimately earned over an estimated $12 million each season from 2014 through 2016.

So, how does that compare to what Reid made with the 49ers? Reid made an estimated $14.2 million in five seasons with the 49ers, according to Spotrac. Despite playing more recently than Kaepernick, Reid has earned an estimated $25.47 million in his career, compared to the $43.47 million Kaepernick has made.

With the NFL starting to understand Kaepernick and Reid’s protests more in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death, it is possible that they could both play in 2020 and earn even more money. During their careers with the 49ers, though, Kaepernick made a lot more.

Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference