Trade Talks Involving Colin Kaepernick Are In A “Holding Pattern”

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that trade talks involving 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick are in a “holding pattern” right now, and they may not pick up again until tomorrow.

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Mike Silver of NFL Media reports that the Broncos are still trying to close the deal on a trade for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.

However, they’ve also contacted Jets free agent QB Ryan Fitzpatrick as a potetnial backup option if the can’t get a trade completed with the 49ers.

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Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets believe 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick is headed to the Broncos in a trade.

Adam Schefter (Sirius XM NFL Radio) said of a Kaepernick trade: “Its not a matter of if, its a matter of when.”

• Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that there has been “no movement” in trade talks involving Kaepernick with either of the Broncos, Jets or Browns.
• Troy Renck has stressed that the Broncos are in no rush to bring in a new quarterback and plan to “exercise patience to get the right guy.”

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Mike Silver of NFL Media is now reporting that trade talks have intensified between the 49ers and Broncos in regards to QB Colin Kaepernick.

• Ian Rapoport confirms that trade talks between the Broncos and 49ers are “heating up.”
• Rapoport mentions that there’s a big difference between the Browns, Jets, and Broncos second-round picks, which is reportedly what the 49ers are looking for in return for Kaepernick.
• Silver said on NFL Network: “I believe the Browns are far more serious than the Jets.” (Marc Sessler)
• Albert Breer mentions that the Broncos are the most likely trade partner right now, but the Browns are a team worth watching.
• According to Matt Miller, there are a lot of people around the league who expect Kaepernick to be traded today.
• According to Breer, there are “serious trust issues” between the 49ers and Kaepernick that do not appear to be very workable.
• Breer adds that if the Broncos do trade for Kaepernick, the structure of contract is year-to-year and will allow them to keep all of their options open at quarterback.

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Mike Silver reports that 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick is the Broncos “chief target” and believes they will go after him in a trade.

• According to Silver, the 49ers will likely want a second-round pick for Kaperernick, but the Broncos may be only willing to part with a third-round selection for him.
• A source tells Silver that Kaepernick will likely be willing to restructure his contract to Broncos’ liking, even though it’s considered a team-friendly deal.
• For what it’s worth, Manish Mehta adds that the “the feeling is that this is going to happen.”

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the 49ers receives some calls from other teams about QB Colin Kaepernick. However, there was “nothing too serious.”

Interest in Kaepernick is expected to pick up Thursday, and the Broncos reportedly have “some interest,” according to Rapoport.

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Mike Silver of NFL Media believes the Broncos will ultimately attempt to trade for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick to be their next quarterback.

In the end, Silver expects them to come to terms on a deal that would send Kaepernick to Denver.

• Benjamin Allbright reports that the Broncos have inquired about Kaepernick.
• Jason Cole of B/R reports that the 49ers won’t be able to pry Kaepernick away from the 49ers, as they prefer to hold onto him.
• Cole mentions that Denver is also interested in Robert Griffin III.
• The Broncos also like backup Trevor Siemian a lot, but they’re still likely to target a upgrade elsewhere.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Broncos list of replacements for QB Brock Osweiler, who just agreed to a deal with the Texans, includes Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick.

• Jason Cole reports that a 49ers source has told him that they have no interest in trading Kaepernick, despite the reported interest from the Broncos.

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Ian Rapoport reports that if the Broncos end up losing free agent QB Brock Osweiler in the coming days, their backup plan appears to be to pursue a trade for 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.

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Both Pro Football Talk and Ian Rapoport have mentioned that if the Broncos end up losing free agent QB Brock Osweiler to another team, the possibility at least exists that they could set their sights on 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick.

• PFT specifically referred to the idea as beings “not as crazy as it sounds.”

The Broncos reportedly haven’t been in negotiations with Osweiler since they made him a three-year contract offer several days ago.

Yesterday, reports mentioned that the Texans are expected to be a serious contender for Osweiler, so it’s at least a possibility that the Broncos could be in the market for another quarterback.

Recent reports have said that Kaepernick is not happy in San Francisco and has requested permission to seek a trade.

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.

The April 1 first is especially important in regards to Kaepernick, as his base salary becomes guaranteed for the 2016 season at that point.

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 the Broncos, Osweiler, and Kaepernick as the news is available.