Denver Broncos Rumors: 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick Remains A Trade Possibility For The Broncos

With the 2016 NFL draft a few weeks away, rumors are swirling regarding the Denver Broncos and who they are going to select with the No. 31 overall pick. After Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans, the Broncos are in desperate need of a competent quarterback. While the team is rumored to be interested in Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook in the opening round, the Broncos are built to win now. Even though talks have slowed down over the past week, the Broncos are still interested in trading for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, rumors connecting the Broncos to Kaepernick have been picking up steam since February. While the deal has not yet happened, many insiders believed the process would take some time from the beginning. As Benjamin Allbright of AM1340 Denver reported in the middle of March, sources believed the deal would happen at some point.

Ryan Fitzpatrick still remains a possibility to sign with the Broncos, as previously reported by the Inquisitr, but the current asking price is too high for Broncos general manager John Elway. While there is still a chance that the team agrees to a deal with Fitzpatrick, the focus is apparently on Kaepernick.

Regardless of the Broncos’ interest in Kaepernick, they are only going to make a deal if it is on their terms. As 9News reports, the Broncos will only make the deal if Kaepernick takes a pay cut, or the 49ers pay some of his salary.

“Any trade involving Kaepernick figures to involve draft picks, which is why April 28 becomes a likely deadline. Kaepernick is considered more of a frontline option than Sanchez as the Broncos seek to replace Brock Osweiler, who bolted for free agency and the Houston Texans, and the retired Peyton Manning.. The Broncos interest in Kaepernick comes with the caveat they want either the quarterback to take a pay cut that would pay him $14.3 million in 2016 ($11.9 million in salary; $2 million in a roster bonus if he is on the active roster for 9 games, and a $400,000 workout bonus), or for the 49ers to eat some of his salary before dealing him.”

The April 28 date is extremely important for this deal to come to fruition. While there is a chance that a trade could happen after the NFL draft, the 49ers are looking to get draft picks for 2016. Kaepernick is not going to bring back multiple high picks for the 49ers, but new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is looking to get a return that can be seen this year.

Broncos reportedly still want Colin Kaepernick https://t.co/4VJChp31TT

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 1, 2016

After the Broncos acquired Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles, some people assumed that the team found their starting quarterback. While Sanchez has had success earlier in his career, he is really nothing but a backup at this point. Regardless, if the Broncos are unable to acquire Kaepernick, Sanchez could be a competent game manager. Since the Broncos have one of the top running games and defenses in the NFL, Sanchez would not be asked to win games by himself. While Kaepernick has developed bad habits over the past few seasons, he is still looked at as an option with more upside than Sanchez.

As Sports Illustrated reports, Kelly and the 49ers are reportedly asking a lot for Kaepernick. While Kelly has been lukewarm when referencing Kaepernick in press conferences, he is now stating that he is a big fan. As the Inquisitr previously noted, Kelly even appeared to be more excited about Blaine Gabbert than Kaepernick in his introductory press conference.

Whether Kelly actually likes Kaepernick or not remains to be seen, but it makes sense for him to be talking positively about him with the trade talks. While it is unlikely that the Broncos will blow the 49ers away with a trade offer, the teams should be able to find a middle ground.

As seen in the latest mock draft at Sports Illustrated, the Broncos could potentially select Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook.

“What I heard Broncos footpball czar John Elway say was Denver was in the market for finding the next Brock Osweiler, meaning a quarterback to be drafted and developed, rather than just traded for. Maybe Mark Sanchez or even Josh McCown is the present, but Cook could be the future in Denver, and he’s played in a pro-style offense that won’t require a lengthy transition to the NFL game. If Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch should fall this far, he’d be another prime option for the Broncos, and he is even almost identical to Osweiler in size and athleticism.”

Even if the Broncos do select Cook, do not expect him to start the first game of the season. With a team that once again has Super Bowl inspirations, the Broncos need a veteran quarterback with experience. While Cook could develop into a great quarterback, he is not ready to take over in 2016.

While a deal is not imminent, the Denver Broncos remain interested in trading for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. If a deal does happen, expect it to come before the NFL draft on April 28.

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