NFL Rumors: Ryan Fitzpatrick To 49ers After Kaepernick Trade To Broncos Becomes Official
The music has stopped and it looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick might be the one standing in the game of quarterback musical chairs.
But with a reported trade in the works between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers for current 49ers starter Colin Kaepernick, the possibility of a Fitzpatrick-to-San Francisco deal could be in the works, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.
“Unless another team emerges from the weeds (the 49ers, perhaps?), Fitzpatrick’s only options would be to take the Jets’ low-ball offer (about $7 million) or not play. It’s worth noting the 49ers’ offensive coordinator is Curtis Modkins, who held the same title with the Buffalo Bills during Fitzpatrick’s final three seasons there (2010-2012). Just saying.”
The 49ers quarterback situation has suddenly come into focus in the last 24 hours. Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report of a trade brewing between the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers.
SF-DEN have parameters of trade agreement on Colin Kaepernick, but still need restructured deal to complete… https://t.co/93waYznrUa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2016
Should Denver and Colin Kaepernick agree to a restructured contract, Broncos then expected to trade mid-round pick to SF to complete deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2016
Working out trade comp for Kaepenick was easy part. Tougher part is convincing Kaep to take less guaranteed $. It’s why trade not yet close.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2016
He’s since updated his report that the deal is very close if the teams can agree on a sum of $4.9 million.
Further update: Colin Kaepernick trade to Broncos being held up by $4.9 million. Here’s how:https://t.co/aFQucYha3D
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2016
“The Broncos are willing to pay $7 million, a source confirmed to ESPN. But Denver and Kaepernick would like the San Francisco to pay the remaining $4.9 million; the 49ers have been unwilling, according to a source, believing they should not have to pay for a player they’d like to keep on their roster. Kaepernick has also been unwilling to forfeit the $4.9 million to make the deal work, according to a source.”
Despite the holdups it appears likely that the deal will get done.
“A high-level source says ‘it would take two seconds’ for the teams to finalize the proposed deal. The compensation in the trade is a nonissue, per sources familiar with deal. It will be a midround pick and sources from both teams said that will not be any holdup and they can ‘finalize it with one phone call.'”
Which leaves Ryan Fitzpatrick without his best chance outside of the New York Jets to get paid and compete for a starting job. Earlier this month it was reported that Denver GM John Elway reached out to Fitzpatrick, and that money was the issue according to the Denver Post. Fitzpatrick’s asking price was simply too high, despite posting career numbers with the Jets last season.
Fitzpatrick’s camp believes that the contracts doled out to unproven Brock Osweiler and injury prone Sam Bradford should net their clients big gains in the free agent market akin to the $18 million those other quarterback received. But so far neither the Broncos or Jets have been willing to go that high.
Would the 49ers jump at the chance to sign the savvy veteran once the Colin Kaepernick deal closes? Is having his old offensive coordinator enough to convince head coach Chip Kelly and GM Trent Baalke to invest in the 33-year old journeyman? Maybe, maybe not.
Up until now, the 49ers had publicly stated they were intent on keeping Colin until the trade talks heated up this weekend. And with no clear prodigy in the draft and only Blaine Gabbert on their current roster, taking a feeler for Ryan Fitzpatrick might provide the stability the 49ers have been lacking lately.
What do you think? Will Ryan Fitzpatrick end up with the 49ers or re-sign with the New York Jets?
[Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images]
