NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick, Chargers, Giants, Texans & Titans

Colin Kaepernick

Albert Breer of NFL Media writes that while we still don’t know if the 49ers will keep QB Colin Kaepernick for the 2016 season at the cost of $14.3 million in cash and $15.9 million against the cap, opposing teams are at least somewhat concerned about the possibility of him in Chip Kelly’s system.

“Awesome — could be scary,” said one rival defensive coach of the possibility. “You get the run threat back to keep the ball on zone read. … And Kap can throw it deep. Chip stretched the field with [Nick] Foles vertically, and not as much with Bradford. … And Kap did a good job with simple reads and progressions early in San Francisco. Chip’s intermediate pass game in Philly had those features.”

A separate defensive coordinator tells Breer: “I think [Kaepernick] is a good enough passer, but obviously what’ll be a nightmare is his ability to run. That offense is straight ‘Freddy Krueger’ when you have a quarterback that can pull the ball and run at any given time.”

Chargers

• Chargers announce that they have hired former Bears S Chris Harris as an assistant defensive backs coach.
• In addition to his playing career, Harris spent 2013 and 2014 with Chicago as a defensive quality control coach.

Giants

• Giants QB Eli Manning has replaced Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger on the 2016 Pro Bowl roster.

Texans

• Albert Breer gets the sense that Mike Vrabel‘s decision to turn down the 49ers’ defensive coordinator position was a tough call, but ultimately came down to his family and loyalty to Texans HC Bill O’Brien.
• Breer seems to think Vrabel could end up being the heir to current DC Romeo Crennel or a hot coordinator candidate in 2017.

Titans

• According to Joe Wolf of the Tennessean, the Titans have promoted Nick Eason to defensive line coach after serving as an assistant for the last two seasons.
• Wolf adds that Eason was planning on following new Browns DC Ray Horton to Cleveland, but has taken the promotion instead.