The Denver Broncos and 49ers seem at an impasse, but a trade for Colin Kaepernick likely looms on the not-so-distant horizon…
What in the world is going on with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers regarding a trade for Colin Kaepernick?
Well, the market for a trade is limited, but the 49ers are clinging on to their former starting QB as long as they can before giving him up to the reigning Super Bowl champions. It was recently rumored that Kaepernick, who allegedly likes Hue Jackson, was favoring a potential move to Cleveland.
You’d have to really like Hue Jackson…
@sherman4949 Implication is that he'd rather play in Denver than Cleveland or San Francisco.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 12, 2016
Bay Area reporters have been all over this story, most of which believe is likely headed toward a Kaepernick-Broncos marriage. Recently, Denver-based reporter Mike Klis reminded us that there was a key date with Kaepernick at the start of April where his contract would basically become guaranteed by the 49ers. He cited that date as the target date for the possible trade to happen, or somewhere closer to that.
There are varying opinions on that…
My sense is the Colin Kaepernick trade talks are headed towards a conclusion by next week.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) March 13, 2016
The main hangup here appears to be draft compensation, though it had previously been reported that the Broncos and 49ers had agreed upon compensation, the only remaining hurdle was Kaepernick’s contract negotiations.
Now, most reports seem to indicate that Kaepernick is certainly willing to alter his contract in order to play for the Broncos, it’s just a matter of getting that done.
This report by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee seems to indicate that Kaepernick does have some say in where he goes. If the Browns had offered a third round pick already, there would be no hesitation it would seem on the part of the 49ers to accept that offer, especially since the Broncos’ pick in the 3rd round is 29 spots later.
If it were just a matter of player-for-pick, why not just take the better offer?
It seems as though the Niners are working with Kaepernick to give him what he wants, but they also have to work with the Broncos to give them what they want. The Broncos are probably not overly thrilled about giving up a 2nd round draft pick as well as coming around and paying Kaepernick what he’s currently owed, so they need to work all these things out before anything can be consummated.
Still, almost any report you read right now indicates the Broncos are the favorites to land Kaepernick, which is exciting, but we don’t know when we’ll find out for sure.