INQUISITR.COM / Sports

Denver Broncos Rumors: 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick Still Likely To Be Traded To The Broncos

By Phillip Dengler
Published on: 10:57 PST, Mar 18, 2016

With the 2016 NFL draft a month-and-a-half away, rumors are swirling regarding the Denver Broncos and their upcoming personnel moves. Since Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans, the Broncos are in desperate need of a competent quarterback. While they recently acquired Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles, the latest rumors are saying that a trade involving San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick still has a good chance of happening.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the Broncos have already been linked to numerous quarterbacks including Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tim Tebow. While Fitzpatrick remains in the mix, Tebow was apparently never in Broncos general manager John Elway’s plans. Since the Broncos won last year’s Super Bowl with an elite defense and strong running game, the current team has proven that they can succeed with average quarterback play. Regardless, Elway is looking to get more from the quarterback position in 2016, and Kaepernick’s potential may be too enticing to pass up on.

While talks have apparently slowed down recently between the Broncos and 49ers, Benjamin Allbright of AM1340 Denver reports that his sources are saying the deal is eventually going to happen.

While the tweet does not give any additional details, Allbright has been reliable in the past with his inside information. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is even thought to prefer Blaine Gabbert over Kaepernick. With the 49ers in a great position to draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, it makes sense that Kelly would attempt to maximize Kaepernick’s return while he can.

While many sources still believe that Kaepernick will be with another team in 2016, CSN Bay Area thinks that he will remain with the 49ers.

“Trade talks have gone cold over the past week and the 49ers appear prepared for quarterback Colin Kaepernick to remain with the organization to compete for the starting job. There’s a good chance he’s still on the team the way things look now. The source said the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns or New York Jets — teams currently without starting quarterbacks — have not shown much urgency to acquire Kaepernick in a trade. The 49ers are holding tight in their trade demand, believed to be a second- or early third-round draft pick. The source reiterated what general manager Trent Baalke stated last month at the NFL Scouting Combine: The 49ers will not release Kaepernick before April 1, when his $11.9 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed.”

While the team may be leaking information that Kaepernick is going to compete for the starting job, this is par for the course whenever a player is available to be traded. After a few successful seasons, that included a Super Bowl appearance and an NFC Championship game appearance, Kaepernick’s play has regressed. While the 49ers became dysfunctional throughout Jim Harbaugh’s last few years as the coach, Kaepernick’s flaws started to become exposed by competing defenses.

There is always a chance that Kelly can turn things around for Kaepernick, but his endorsements for him have been lukewarm at best. While Kelly is often thought to prefer mobile quarterbacks, the only one he had in Philadelphia was Michael Vick. After Vick was benched for Nick Foles, Kelly’s next quarterbacks included Mark Sanchez and Sam Bradford. Blaine Gabbert is probably nothing more than a backup at this point in his career, but Wentz and Goff have to be extremely enticing for Kelly.

While Kaepernick has his flaws, he could be exactly what Elway is looking for. Kaepernick was at his best when the 49ers had a strong defense and solid running game. The Broncos excel in both of those areas. If Kaepernick can cut down on his mistakes, he offers the upside to make all of the necessary plays that the Broncos will require of him.

With the NFL draft on the horizon, rumors are going to continue to link the Denver Broncos to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. While the teams are apparently in disagreement over what would be a fair trade, some insiders believe that a deal is eventually going to happen.

[Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images]

Share this article: Denver Broncos Rumors: 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick Still Likely To Be Traded To The Broncos
San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick
More from Inquisitr