Rich Cimini of ESPN mentions that the Jets’ decision to hire John Morton as their new offensive coordinator could lead to rumors about 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick ending up in New York if/when San Francisco moves on from him this offseason.
Cimini points out that Morton was actually the 49ers’ WRs coach when Kaepernick was playing his best football, so there’s an obvious connection between the two.
The Jets are expected to move on from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith is also a free agent, which means they could be in the market to add a veteran quarterback to pair with Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.
While it’s an interesting idea, Cimini believes it would still be “risky on multiple levels” to bring in Kaepernick. One other name worth watching, according to Cimini, could be Morton’s old quarterback at USC, Matt Barkley, who will be a free agent.
There is some question as to the kind of market Kaepernick can expect if ends up being available.
A few weeks ago, Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News spoke to some league insiders who expect Kaepernick to be playing elsewhere in 2017. However, the sources who spoke to Samuel expressed concerns about adding him to their team.
“I wouldn’t touch the guy,” a personnel man from a quarterback-needy team tells Samuel. “(He) still has some in the tank, but (is) not worth bringing him into your building . . . too much of a distraction and also not what you want in the locker room.”
Even though some teams will have reservations about signing him if/when he’s available, others believe he’ll eventually get another shot.
“There are not that many good QBs out there and he has been capable of being one of them,” a league source tells Samuel. “So ultimately, someone will try and see if they can put him in the right place.”
Kaepernick, 29, is a former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2010. He was in the third year of his seven-year, $126.97 million contract that included $61 million guaranteed when reached an agreement with the 49ers on a restructured deal.
Kaepernick’s new contract will give him the ability to void his deal in the coming months and test the open market.
In 2016, Kaepernick has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,241 yards and 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, while adding 468 yards rushing. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 27 quarterback out of 36 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding Kaepernick and where he’ll be playing in 2017 as the news is available.
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