Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News is reporting that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco after a disappointing 2015 season and would prefer to sign with the Jets.
According to Mehta, the Jets are aware of Kaepernick’s desire to play for them and are “intrigued” by the idea. However, Mehta mentions that they’re still in the early stages of their offseason planning and evaluation.
Mehta adds that it’s unclear what the 49ers’ asking price would be in a trade involving Kaepernick, but he would likely have to sign for less than his current salary in the event he was released.
Both Jets GM Mike Maccagnan and HC Todd Bowles have said that they would like to re-sign impending free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick. Mehta mentions that the two sides are expected to discuss an extension in the coming weeks, but adds that nothing is guaranteed.
Kaepernick’s season came to an end after he underwent shoulder, knee and thumb surgery in November. Mehta reports that Kaepernick is rehabbing with his own trainers in Colorado rather than at the team facility.
San Francisco has said that they would like to see if new HC Chip Kelly can get Kaepernick turned around.
Kaepernick, 28, will be entering the third year of his seven-year, $126.97 million contract that included $61 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $13.9 million for the 2016 season.
While those numbers are impressive on their own, the contract is essentially a pay-as-you-go agreement that includes ways for San Francisco to walk away with limited repercussions, as long as Kaepernick is healthy.
According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Kaepernick would free up $8,493,493 in available cap space and create $7,397,260 in dead money.
In 2015, Kaepernick threw for 1,615 yards while completing 59.3 percent of his passes to go along with six touchdowns and five interceptions over the course of eight games. He also added 228 yards rushing and a touchdown.
We’ll have more regarding Kaepernick’s future with the 49ers as the news is available.
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