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No matter how poorly a team’s offseason has gone, no player or coach or G.M. or owner ever will declare, “Man, we’re gonna suck this year.”

And so it’s no surprise that 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has gone glass-half-full when talking about a tumultuous stretch that included a coaching change, multiple new members of the coaching staff, free-agency defections, and several unexpected retirements.

“Very excited for the season,” Kaepernick told reporters Friday night before the annual Governor’s Dinner in Nevada, via Charles Whisnand of the Nevada Appeal. “A lot of new faces in the locker room and a lot of new coaches. I think the changes are for the good.”

If he means that, it’s a slap at former coach Jim Harbaugh, former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, former running back Frank Gore, former receiver Michael Crabtree, former defensive lineman Justin Smith, former linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, and former right tackle Anthony Davis.

Kaepernick likely doesn’t mean it, but what else is he going to say? “Man, we’re gonna suck this year”?

“I feel very confident in our team,” Kaepernick added. “I feel people are writing us off, but for us, that’s all right.”

He’s right about that, and it doesn’t hurt for the 49ers to be flying under radar, especially after spending the last three years as presumed Super Bowl contenders.

Whether and to what extent the 49ers exceed their reduced expectations won’t depend on the new players and coaches as much as it will depend on Kaepernick playing at a high level on a more consistent basis and developing as a passer.

He spent much of the offseason trying to improve as a passer, learning how to stay in the pocket, make reads, and deliver the ball with touch. If it works, the 49ers may not be as bad as many assume they’ll be.