Elway seeks reduction in Kaepernick pay – 9NEWS.com
KUSA – The Denver Broncos are going hard after Colin Kaepernick.
As 9News first reported Tuesday,Colin Kaepernick’s contract is the primary obstacle in the Broncos acquiring the San Francisco 49ers quarterback in a trade. 9News has since confirmed Broncos general manager John Elway wants Kaepernick’s $11.9 million salary — which became fully guaranteed on Friday — reduced so that the team picks up only $7 million. The hope is the remaining $4.9 million would be offset either through Kaepernick agreeing to a pay cut, or the 49ers picking up a portion through sign-and-trade.
Most likely, though, the Broncos will have to pick up more than $7 million.That’s backup money. Consider the three-year, $21 million deal backup quarterback Chase Daniel received last month from the Philadelphia Eagles. If the Broncos acquire Kaepernick, he is expected to start, although the team may state he will compete with veteran Mark Sanchez for the job.
Elway met Thursday in Denver with Kaepernick. It was the second meeting in two weeks between Elway and Kaepernick.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported of the meetings between Elway and Kaepernick, who has been rehabilitating three surgically repaired injuries at the Steadman Clinic in Vail.
The Broncos are interested in Kaepernick because the Super Bowl champions need a starting quarterback following the departures of Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency and the Houston Texans.
The Broncos did acquire Sanchez in a trade last month but he hasn’t opened a season as a starter since 2012 with the New York Jets.
Kaepernick’s interest in the Broncos originates from the fact he wants out of San Francisco. The 49ers have granted Kaepernick’s agents, Jason Bernstein and Scott Smith, permission to seek a trade for their client. Such permission allowed for Elway and Kaepernick to meet.
Does that mean the Broncos are on the verge of acquiring Kaepernick? Contract terms remain a major hurdle. The Broncos’ problem is they have less than $2 million in available cap space. More space would be created if the team could move left tackle Ryan Clady, who accounts for $10.1 million in 2016 cap space.
Still, the Broncos are hoping the 49ers or Kaepernick or both will help. It’s possible the 49ers could do a “sign and trade” which would mean converting the $11.9 million salary to, say, a $2 million signing bonus and $9.9 million salary. In this scenario, the 49ers would eat $2 million in exchange for the quarterback and one or two of the Broncos’ draft picks.
It’s possible Elway met with Kaepernick in hopes of selling the quarterback on taking less to play for the defending Super Bowl champions in 2016 in return for creating greater long-term value with a successful season. If the contract situation can be resolved, the Broncos and 49ers would then have to work out compensation in the form or a draft pick or two.
Make no mistake, there have been complications in acquiring Kaepernick, which is why no trade has been executed since talks initially began March 10 — the day after the Broncos lost Osweiler to free agency.
The 49ers could be motivated to trade Kaepernick before their team begins its offseason conditioning program Monday. Kaepernick’s contract also calls for him to make a $400,000 bonus for attending the team’s offseason program.
It’s possible Kaepernick’s injuries would give him an excuse from showing up Monday at the 49ers’ facility. The excuse could stand until his potential trade with the Broncos is resolved.
Otherwise, his presence in the 49ers’ locker room would undoubtedly bring awkward tension to San Franciso. The Broncos don’t begin their offseason program until April 18.
If the Broncos can’t work out a trade for Kaepernick, they are expected to next pursue a veteran like Brian Hoyer, Josh McCown, Mike Glennon or Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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