SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- In the eyes of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith, quarterback Colin Kaepernick is happier this year than he was in 2015.

No, that doesn't have anything to do with Tuesday's announcement that Kaepernick is taking over as the starting quarterback, though that didn't hurt. Smith actually noticed a little bigger smile on Kaepernick's face back during the preseason. In fact, as Smith tells it, Kaepernick's mood seemed to turn after his protest of racial oppression and inequality in the United States became known and he was able to start discussing those issues with his teammates.

"Colin has handled that situation better than anyone could have imagined," Smith said. "It hasn't been a distraction in our locker room and it probably helped him open up to a lot of our team and our teammates better. He's been very open in communication about that as well as football. So for him to have this shot, I don't think it's something where he is focused on one thing and not the other. He's a quarterback, he's going out there to try to win games. I think he's going to do a good job and I think he's going to be able to continue to be an advocate socially as well."

Asked if he believed that Kaepernick was unhappy before or if his mood had a negative impact on the locker room, Smith said that wasn't necessarily the case but the improvement is noticeable.

"I think he was all right," Smith said. "I think he's better. That's not to say he was terrible but I think he's definitely more open. I think he's happier overall. People tend to forget that that's a big part of it, just is being happy, having fun, being loose. I think he's going to take advantage of his opportunity.

"He just looks happier. He looks like he's in a real good place."

While the Kaepernick that will step on the field for his first start since November of last year probably isn't going to be the same player that was one of the league's ascending stars in 2012 and 2013 from a physical standpoint, he might also be a different player from a leadership point of view.

After Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem became known, he stood before his teammates in a players only meeting and opened his door to them to let them know that if they had any questions or wanted to discuss anything, he was there. Multiple players took him up on that, including center Daniel Kilgore, who said he was at first offended by Kaepernick's protest but gained an understanding of it after talking to him at length.

Kaepernick has also been friendlier and more outgoing with the media than the past, according to reporters who have covered the team for awhile.

For his part, Kaepernick believes happiness isn't new but he did acknowledge that something is different.

"I think I've always been happy, but more than anything, I'm comfortable," Kaepernick said. "I'm at peace with myself, with my relationships, and with everything that's going on in my life. So, I think that reflects and I think that's what [Smith's] referring to."

How that will translate on the field remains to be seen. Kaepernick was easy to follow when he was running up and down the field and leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl but this team has lost four games in a row and is clearly looking to him to provide a spark. The easiest way for anyone to lead a team is to set an example by playing well.

To that end, Smith says he believes Kaepernick also carries with him plenty of motivation that stems from his previous struggles right up through losing the job to Gabbert in the preseason.

"I think you see a lot of confidence in him right now," Smith said. "I think he's always been confident. If no one believes in him, he does, so I think he always has that chip on his shoulder and he always, that's his motivation. I'm sure he felt the same way when he wasn't named the starter and now I'm sure he's looking forward to trying to prove everyone wrong, including our coaches so I'm sure that's a challenge and a chip that he has. Again, it's on us to go out there and make things happen."

If Kaepernick and the 49ers can do that, it would go a long way in offering some clarity to his long-term future with the team. That's something that remains unknown as San Francisco seeks answers at quarterback.

But Kaepernick isn't trying to think big picture, instead choosing to focus on what's next and how he can help right now.

"It's a great opportunity to go out and win some games," Kaepernick said. "That's ultimately what the goal is. We're going to focus on the Buffalo Bills this week."

"For me, I try to carry myself confidently and appropriately whatever environment I'm in and hopefully that reflects and my teammates feel that way and they feel that I can lead this team to a victory."