Colin Kaepernick is The Broncos Main Target
2016.03.10 – The Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos have decided to target Colin Kaepernick after Peyton Manning retired this week and his projected heir apparent, Brock Osweiler, bolted Wednesday as a free agent for the Houston Texans’ $72 million offer.
According to trade talks there are three teams involved to acquire quarterback Kaepernic; The Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns have contacted the San Francisco 49ers about a potential trade, but the 49ers have not yet received an offer. And, NFC rivals such as the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys might be tempted to bid. The 49ers are looking for a second-round draft pick, but the Broncos may be willing to part with a third-round pick.
The Broncos got an extensive, up-close look at Kaepernick this past summer, when the 49ers practiced for two days at the Broncos’ training facility before their Aug. 29 exhibition.
“I’ve always liked Colin,” John Elway said after those August practices. “He’s very athletic, and he can make a lot of big plays. He’s doing more within the pocket, which I think if he continues to do that, it’ll help him.”
The Jets have not “put their cards on the table,” according to a source, as they could be waiting to see if they are able to re-sign quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Browns just released Johnny Manziel.
But, so far, the 49ers have done nothing to indicate they’re in a rush to unload the disgruntled Kaepernick. Instead, the 49ers quietly waded into the free-agent market by resigning nose tackle Ian Williams to a five-year deal, and the only new arrival was journeyman quarterback Thad Lewis, who agreed on a one-year deal to reunite with Chip Kelly, his former coach on the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 49ers have told teams that they would be happy to keep Kaepernick if the compensation is not right. Coach Chip Kelly is confident that Kaepernick can have success in his system, according to a source.
Many coaches, including some opposing defensive coaches, believe the quarterback would be a nightmare to defend as a read-option quarterback for the 49ers. Kelly’s read-option offense appears ideal for the athletic Kaepernick’s skill set, but the quarterback seem set to take his talents elsewhere.
Jed York, the 49ers’ CEO, wants Colin Kaepernick to be a 49ers quarterback. “All I can tell you,” York said, “is that the last conversation I had with Kap was a good conversation. I asked how he was feeling. I hope he’s doing well. I care about his health and well-being because I think he can be a big piece of what we’re doing, going forward.”
We’ll see how this plays out. After all, the final authority on whether the 49ers will cut Kaepernick a check on April 1 is York and that’s his intention. “I think that it was very clear from Chip Kelly, from Trent Baalke and ultimately with my blessing to say that we’re more than comfortable paying Kap,” York said. “Because they want him here, Chip thinks he would be a great fit for our offense.”
The strategy to pick up Kaepernick’s option, could simply be about keeping him around as an asset that could be traded later. The 49ers might not receive much in return. But it would be better than nothing, which is what they would receive if they don’t pick up the option.
The 49ers are weighing Kaepernick’s future, furthermore it was his agents’ request to seek a trade. The 49ers’ plan? They’re not saying. Nor are Kaepernick’s representatives. Consider it harmonious silence ahead of a showdown.
Look, if you’ve been following this situation from both sides, you had to know there were storms ahead. As Kaepernick cleaned out his 49ers locker at season’s end on Jan. 4, he didn’t publicly beg for a fresh start, instead saying: “Once again, I’m preparing to be healthy and win the Super Bowl. That’s all my focus is.”
On June 6, 2014, the 49ers signed Kaepernick to a six-year contract worth up to $114 million, but the deal was designed in a team friendly, year-by-year fashion with only a $12.3 million signing bonus.
Kaepernick has earned approximately $25 million from that contract, and his $11.9 million base salary for this season becomes guaranteed if he’s on the 49ers roster April 1.
You had to know that Kaepernick logically felt betrayed by all the petty leaks from 49ers management last season and understandably had decided never to adjust his contract for the 49ers, after he gave up large bonus money so that the 49ers (he thought) could spend it to re-sign some of his teammates.
The 49ers never actually spent that money; they kept it, fired Jim Harbaugh, Kaepernick’s biggest fan, and then spent much of the 2015 season blaming their downfall on their QB.
I would assume Kaepernick’s agents want the Broncos to trade for him and then redo his deal, perhaps give him the same amount of money spread over several years.
If he’s released April 1, Kaepernick could sign anywhere as a free agent — including the Los Angeles Rams, a division rival. But, by retaining Kaepernick’s rights, the 49ers can control whatever happens to him for the next 12 months.
Kaepernick might not like that. But he signed the deal. And he’ll be rich no matter what happens.
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL: www.apnews.com/tag/NFL
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the San Francisco 49ers, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
Follow EMI Sports Bay Area on Twitter at twitter. com/ @EMIsports
EMI Sports Central – EMI Sports Bay Area: Join the conversation on sports news for SF Bay Area teams: Follow @EMIsports on Twitter, “Like” us on Facebook and sign up for our FREE email newsletters.