Roadblocks Remain For Acquiring Kaepernick: Ryan Edwards

Roadblocks Remain For Acquiring Kaepernick

Ryan Edwards

“It could get done today [or] it could get done in June,” said The Fan’s 9 News Broncos Insider Mike Klis on Evans and Schlereth this morning. “I’m still thinking April 27th is the drop dead deadline because you have to have draft picks involved in this.”

This weekend had NFL fans and media buzzing about the possibility of 49ers Colin Kaepernick becoming the next Broncos quarterback, when Adam Schefter tweeted the two sides were close to a deal.

SF-DEN have parameters of trade agreement on Colin Kaepernick, but still need restructured deal to complete… https://t.co/93waYznrUa

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2016

Seems imminent, right? It might be, but there are still a few (major) details that need to be ironed out.

As first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the Broncos received permission from the 49ers to meet with Kaepernick, not once, but twice. The most recent example was at John Elway’s house last Thursday. The 49ers giving permission to the Broncos to meet with Kaepernick is very indicative of where that relationship is at right now. Colin wants out and San Francisco is willing to deal.

The road blocks of the trade were so big that just a couple of weeks ago, some thought it would be too much ground to cover to get a deal done. Well, this weekend things got closer, but are not done yet. From multiple reports, we can gather that the 49ers and Broncos have agreed on the structure of (at least) a mid-round draft pick in exchange for Kaepernick. That was a big piece of the negotiations that needed to happen. The second, and equally important piece, was the restructuring of Colin Kaepernick’s contract. This aspect may take a little more time and be a more difficult road block to the trade.

Kaepernick’s $11.9 million base salary became fully guaranteed as of Friday, April 1st. If he attends off-season workouts for the 49ers, he will receive an addition $400,000. His roster bonus is $2 million and the pro-rated bonus is a little more than $2.4 million bringing his total cap hit to around $15.8 million. The Broncos want to pay $7 million of his base and are asking for either the 49ers to pay the remaining $4.9 million or for Kaepernick to take a paycut.

Should the #49ers restructure $4.9M of Kaepernick’s salary to bonus in order to trade him, they’ll eat $12.29M in 2016 dead cap.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 3, 2016

If the Broncos want to get this deal done, though, they may need to be a bit more flexible with their $7 million base offer. “I think they would be willing to move off that,” said Mike Klis. “Frankly, I’m surprised that’s all they want to pay, maybe it’s because it’s all they can pay. Backup money is $7 million so I would think the Broncos would come up with more money if they want Kaepernick.” The Broncos are currently last in the NFL with $1.6 million in cap space. There are a few obvious moves they could make to resolve this and that will have to happen before this deal can be finalized, even at $7 million.

#49ers offseason program began at 8:30AM with Chip Kelly's first team meeting. Colin Kaepernick was there. Trade to Broncos remains option.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 4, 2016

Colin Kaepernick reported to off-season workouts with the 49ers. If he participates in 90% of the workouts, he will collect $400,000, adding more money to his contract. This doesn’t mean the deal can’t happen though. In fact, it adds pressure to both sides to come to an agreement. The 49ers aren’t going to want Colin hanging around the facility after they have clearly given permission for him to be traded and the Broncos don’t want any more money added to his contract for which they may end up being on the hook. Something has to give. For now, Jason Cole reports that a deal isn’t imminent, but these things can change quickly. If it’s meant to be, the Broncos will likely have to increase their offer or move on to Plan C. Everything else is just posturing.

Source: #49ers QB Colin Kaepernick will not take pay cut, nor will team pay off part of deal to make trade happen. No deal with #Broncos.

— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) April 4, 2016

Ryan Edwards

@ryanedwards1043

TOP PHOTO CREDIT: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports