Broncos Still Interested In Trading For Colin Kaepernick, Despite Salary Becoming Guaranteed

March 31, 2016

Mike Klis of 9News reports that the Broncos are still interested in trading for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick, even after his 2016 salary of $11.9 million officially became guaranteed as of 4pm EST today.

Klis mentions that the Broncos and GM John Elway were well aware of the fact that 49ers weren’t just going to release Kaepernick when he had enough trade value to net them a draft pick in a deal.

Beyond that, there was a chance that his salary could be considered guaranteed, given that he’s still rehabbing from surgeries.

Klis believes April 28 is likely the trade deadline for a deal between the two parties, as this is the start of the draft.

There’s still the issue of Kaepernick’s contract to go along with agreement on compensation, so there’s still plenty of work to be done.

Earlier in the day, Jason Cole of B/R reported that the Broncos have asked Kaepernick to reduce his salary from $11.9 million to approximately $7 million for the 2016 season as part of a trade.

While Kaepernick has requested a trade out of San Francisco, it’s unlikely that any deal would get done without him agreeing to a restructured contract. Of course, there’s a chance a team like the Broncos could include incentives for him make the money lost back by the end of the year.

Kaepernick, 28, is 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, trading 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 as the news is available.