INDIANAPOLIS – When quarterback Colin Kaepernick met with 49ers general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan last week, the topic of the national anthem was not discussed.

“We didn’t talk about it,” Lynch said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “I didn’t think that was important to the meeting we were having. We were having a meeting about, really, just getting to know each other. I felt like just being completely honest with each other. But that never got there in the conversation.”

As Kaepernick prepares to become a free agent by opting out of his contract, ESPN cited sources who said Kaepernick plans to stand for the national anthem in 2017. While protesting racial inequality in America, Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem.

Kaepernick recently hired agents Jeff Nalley and Sean Kiernan to help him find a place of employment for his seventh NFL season. Lynch said he has not ruled out the possibility of Kaepernick returning to the 49ers.

When asked why he would not just tell Kaepernick that the 49ers are moving on without him, Lynch answered, “Because we’re not there yet. We don’t have any quarterbacks.”

Kaepernick had a solid statistical season while making 11 starts for the 49ers last season. He threw 16 touchdowns and four interceptions for a passer rating of 90.7. Kaepernick also rushed for 468 yards.

“In a general sense, I can tell you, there are things that Kyle likes about his game,” Lynch said. “It would be foolish to say, ‘Hey, we’re done with this.’ So I feel real good. We told him exactly where we’re at and part of where we’re at is we’re not closing the door on that situation.

“He’s going to choose to do what he’s going to choose to do, but let’s not close the door on this. That’s the reality.”