[Elvis]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... orked-over

Niners prepared to retain Kap if trade cannot be worked out

By Michael Silver

NFL Media columnist

While the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns attempt to work out a trade for Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers are preparing for a third scenario -- retaining the 28-year-old quarterback and allowing him to compete with Blaine Gabbert for the starting job under new coach Chip Kelly in 2016.

Kaepernick, benched for Gabbert midway through last season and coming off three surgeries, will be guaranteed his $12 million salary for 2016 if he remains on the Niners' roster on April 1. Given the recent explosion of quarterback contracts, including the Houston Texans' signing of former Broncos backup Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72-million deal on Wednesday, the 49ers believe Kaepernick's salary isn't too much to swallow for a player who'd theoretically have a chance to be their starter this season.

The agents for Kaepernick, who guided the Niners to within five yards of a Super Bowl XLVII victory three seasons ago and took them to the brink of another NFC championship the following year requested a trade during last month's NFL scouting combine.

Talks have heated up in recent days with the Broncos, who are scrambling to find a new starter in the wake of Peyton Manning's retirement and Osweiler's departure, and with the Browns, who released former first-round pick Johnny Manziel on Friday and have 36-year-old Josh McCown as their top returning quarterback.

The Broncos and 49ers remain apart on compensation, with San Francisco seeking a second-round draft pick in exchange for Kaepernick. The Broncos have had discussions with Kaepernick's agents about a restructured deal for the quarterback, and a source familiar with the conversations characterized those talks as productive. Denver has also reached out to the agents for free agent quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, whose negotiations for a potential return as the New York Jets' starter have stalled.

The Jets, multiple team front office sources say, have not made any serious inquiries to the 49ers about Kaepernick, but they are exploring several other possibilities in the event that they do not reach a deal with Fitzpatrick. Former starter Geno Smith, the team's second-round pick in 2013, remains on the roster.

The Browns hold the second overall pick, putting them in position to draft one of the top-rated incoming quarterbacks, Cal's Jared Goff or North Dakota State's Carson Wentz. Even if the Browns were to trade for Kaepernick, they would still consider taking Goff or Wentz with the second overall selection.

As of Friday, talks between the Browns and Kaepernick's agents on a restructured deal had not progressed to a point that would satisfy the quarterback enough to green-light the arrangement. The 49ers and Browns, meanwhile, are in general agreement regarding the draft-pick compensation that it would take to acquire Kaepernick.

If nothing gives in the next couple of days -- meaning that neither the Broncos nor Browns could finalize agreements (involving trade compensation and contract restructuring) that would satisfy both the 49ers and Kaepernick, respectively-the Niners are preparing to move on and initiate a quarterback competition. Though general manager Trent Baalke is extremely high on Gabbert, a former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick, Kelly is intrigued by the idea of coaching Kaepernick, whose mobility and athleticism would seem to fit the coach's system.

Though Kaepernick might not be thrilled with the arrangement, the Niners would rightfully contend that they attempted to work out a trade, but that neither party (the team nor the player) was ultimately satisfied with the proposals that were on the table.

Theoretically, the 49ers could then try to trade Kaepernick following the 2016 season -- or, if he is their entrenched starter, allow him to play out a relatively team friendly contract that lasts through the 2019 campaign.

[Hacksaw_64]

Browns willing to give up 3rd round pick for Colin Kaepernick, but trade hinges on contract redo, sources say

By Mary Kay Cabot, Cleveland.com
Follow on Twitter
on March 11, 2016 at 10:10 PM, updated March 11, 2016 at 10:11 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio --- The Browns are willing to give up their third-round pick for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but the trade is contingent on restructuring Kaepernick's $19 million a year contract, sources told cleveland.com.

The 49ers actually want a second-round pick, but might be willing to take the Browns' third considering it's the second pick in that round, No. 65 overall. What's more, Kaepernick wants out, and the Broncos, who were the frontrunners in the sweepstakes on Thursday, are also reluctant to part with a high pick.

Besides, they traded for Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez on Friday and are prepared to start him in 2016 if need be. They're no longer as desperate as they seemed when trade talks for Kaepernick began.

The Broncos' second-round pick is No. 63 overall, just two notches ahead of the Browns' third-rounder, and they don't want to go that high. Their third-rounder is No. 94 overall, and that might not cut it for the 49ers.

The Broncos sent a conditional 2017 pick to the Eagles on Friday for Sanchez, and like him enough to give it go next year if it comes to that. But general manager John Elway tweeted Friday that they're still looking, saying Sanchez "brings veteran leadership & will compete. This is the 1st step in our process."

The Broncos have also been linked to free agent quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Robert Griffin III, and Bucs backup Mike Glennon, a player that ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported last year that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam ''knows he should be considering.''

In regards to Kaepernick's contract, the Browns will likely want to cut his current $19 million a year average by more than half. He signed a six-year extension in 2014 worth $114,000,000, including $61 million guaranteed. If he's on a team's roster on April 1st, his 11.9 million base salary for 2016 will be guaranteed.

His bases in the final four years are as follows: $14.5 million in 2017, $15 million in 2018, $16.8 million in 2019 and $19 million in 2020.

With the Browns likely to draft their quarterback of the future in this draft, either at No. 2 or No. 32 or somewhere in between if they trade up or down, they might not want to pay him more than $7 million to $8 million a year, which would put him in the "bridge quarterback'' range. The deal could include incentives for games started.

The Browns, who waived Johnny Manziel on Friday, have been working on the restructuring with Kaepernick's agents, as reported by NFL Network's Mike Silver, and might be able to pull this off if they can get the money right. But it won't be easy unless he's viewed as their long-term solution.

They've had their sights set on either North Dakota State's Carson Wentz or Cal's Jared Goff for awhile, and this move probably wouldn't preclude them from drafting one of them at No. 2.

If the Broncos are willing to pay him long-term starting money, they might have the edge in negotiations.

If the Browns do trade for Kaepernick and draft a quarterback high, 2015 starter Josh McCown could end up on the trading block and would likely attract some attention as a starter based on his 2015 production.

McCown, who finished the season on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, ranked 14th in the NFL with a 93.3 rating. He also finished eighth in the NFL with 102.1 rating in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers have also made it clear that they're willing to keep Kaepernick if they don't like the offers and let him compete for the starting job with Blaine Gabbert in Chip Kelly's offense. However, with Kaeperick asking to be traded, it might be difficult to keep him around.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported Friday that Kaepernick respects Hue Jackson and would like to play for the Browns.

The feeling is certainly mutual. Jackson wanted to draft Kaepernick in 2011 when he was coming out of Nevada, but the 49ers traded up with Denver and beat him to the punch.

Two years later, he told Sport Illustrated, "I think about it all the time, believe me. No question in my mind we wanted it to happen and no question I thought it could happen. We wanted the kid in the worst way."

If the Browns come up with a deal Kaepernick likes, Jackson may get his man.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.s ... p_3rd.html

[Hacksaw]

The more teams solving there QB problems in front of us the better.

[/zn/]

I know I'm going to get slammed for this but it doesn't look like we're going to get a quarterback this year unless it's RG3. Even Kaepernick would be an improvement but he's going to go to a contender. Rather have Griffin instead of Manziel. Sanchez , Hoyer,, who has more upside than RG3? If we can grab one of the top college kids I'd prefer that, but I just don't see that happening either. If Griffin wants to play for the Rams and since the Rams need an upgrade,, I'd pull the trigger. . Otherwise it's Keenum, Mannion or bust..

Yeah they will get another qb.

It just won't be a veteran, probably.

Draft pick.

Which is fine because there are a couple of draft picks I would take over any of the guys you list.

Though chances are they won't start right away either.

[Elvis]

There's certainly a lot more value in drafting a QB at rookie prices than signing a veteran at FA prices...

[Neil039]

The more teams solving there QB problems in front of us the better.

Bingo!

Sadly, I fret that the Rams brain( ) trust will not draft a qb if given the chance. They'll move up for an undersized slot receiver but not a qb???

[ramsman34]

IF we land a vet, I would bet we trade for Glennon.

[ramsman34]

There's certainly a lot more value in drafting a QB at rookie prices than signing a veteran at FA prices...

I completely agree. Advantage age and upside; disadvantage, won't be playing this season most likely unless its Wentz, maybe Goff.

[dieterbrock]

The more teams solving there QB problems in front of us the better.

Bingo!

Sadly, I fret that the Rams brain( ) trust will not draft a qb if given the chance. They'll move up for an undersized slot receiver but not a qb???

I'm with you. Makes no sense

Of course that was the same off season they decided to sign Cook to come is as our hybrid Slot WR/TE and pay him big $$. Went in to the season with a modern day offense that actually looked to pass the ball.

Of course we know how that temporary insanity concluded, after 4 games the plan was scratched, never to be seen again. Replaced by the 3 yards and a cloud of dust we are accustomed to today

[Hacksaw]

The more teams solving there QB problems in front of us the better.

Bingo!

Sadly, I fret that the Rams brain( ) trust will not draft a qb if given the chance. They'll move up for an undersized slot receiver but not a qb???

I'm with you. Makes no sense

Of course that was the same off season they decided to sign Cook to come is as our hybrid Slot WR/TE and pay him big $$. Went in to the season with a modern day offense that actually looked to pass the ball.

Of course we know how that temporary insanity concluded, after 4 games the plan was scratched, never to be seen again. Replaced by the 3 yards and a cloud of dust we are accustomed to today

This brings up a good point, or at least a question I have had,,, Most of us here don't believe that Fish and Co are capable of a high octane 'modern day' offense. Yet they rolled one out just a few years back. My initial thought was that the personnel at the time didn't fit the scheme. Subsequent draft picks (TA primarily) made it look as if they were possibly thinking in that direction. But no,, just a Mcloud of dust.

So is it Fish philosophy 101 that so many believe, or was he simply hamstrung by misfit personnel? Poor WR's and QB play?
Or is it that it looked good on paper but trying to run it real time was out of their wheel house as many here believe?

Can anything be certain until we fill those positions appropriately? His attempt to run it a few years back tells me he's not devoid of the idea or the willingness to do so.