A Colin Kaepernick trade is unlikely to happen , according to NBC Sports .
The rise of Kaepernick was one of the most interesting NFL stories over the past couple of years. He went from being a second round draft pick to becoming what appeared at the time to be a franchise quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers in a little more than a year. It is hard to blame the fan base for believing that the powerhouse status that the Niners enjoyed during the 1980s had returned.
The fall of Kaepernick happened just as quickly. On June 4, 2014, the former Nevada University star signed a contract extension with the 49ers. It was worth as much as $126 million, provided Kaepernick reached his full potential in San Francisco. He never did, and a year later, he has been replaced by Blaine Gabbert as the starting quarterback for the team. With Colin Kaepernick on IR , his future with the team is supposedly over.
While neither side has said anything publicly on the matter, Kaepernick and the Niners are looking for a divorce. Obviously, they would much rather prefer that it happens peacefully and quickly. Unfortunately, though, that does not appear like it will happen because the situation and the contract make things a bit complicated for both sides.
Guaranteed money is the biggest road block to the Colin Kaepernick trade. The Humanatarian Bowl MVP in 2008 is owed more than $31 million over the next three seasons. Those numbers are hard enough for the Niners to swallow. Imagine how much so for other franchises in the NFL that have never benefited from Kaepernick’s play on the field, which declined severely this season.
A reworked contract would help to facilitate a Colin Kaepernick trade, but the quarterback has very little incentive to sit down and negotiates with the 49ers. After all, this is the same team that has lost faith in him. Whatever deal that Kaepernick would agree to with San Francisco can be agreed to with another NFL team once he becomes a free agent. It seems unlikely that the 28 year old would want to do a favor for the team, especially since he is losing $1 million by going on IR.
April 21, 2016 could be a very interesting day for Kaepernick and the Niners. That is when he needs to be released or traded. Otherwise, his contract becomes fully guaranteed, something that San Francisco obviously does not want to see. On the flip side, if Kaepernick cannot pass a physical by that point, he cannot be released and will be stuck in a very uncomfortable position with the 49ers.
The odds of Kaepernick being stuck in a bad situation with the Niners are slimmer than the Wisconsin native being with another NFL team next season. There are already a lot of trade speculations floating around. The Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Denver Broncos, who more than likely will lose Peyton Manning after this season, have already been mentioned as possible destinations for Kaepernick.
It was hard for 49ers fans to watch as Alex Smith, who was tremendously professional during his ordeal, waited for his chance to leave San Francisco. Now, they will have to watch as Kaepernick sits through an uncomfortable situation as well.
[ Featured Photo by Ezra Shaw / Getty Images ]
