INDIANAPOLIS - Colin Kaepernick has new agents and those representatives will help him navigate free agency for the first time in his six-year career.

As expected, the 49ers quarterback will opt out of the final year of his contract, which will place him on the open market when free agency begins March 9, the NFL Network reported. Kaepernick is now represented by Jeff Nalley and Sean Kiernan after leaving XAM Sports.

Kaepernick, 29, can officially opt out as early as Thursday. The move was expected given his recent performance and scheduled $14.5 million base salary in 2017. The 49ers would have likely released Kaepernick if he didn’t opt out.

Kaepernick’s decision doesn’t rule out a return to the 49ers in 2017.