Kaepernick Trade Talks Stall After QB Rejects Pay Cut
SAN FRANCISCO (The Sports Xchange) - Colin Kaepernick will remain with the San Francisco 49ers and a potential trade to Denver is on hold -- for now.
According to multiple reports, Kaepernick rejected taking a pay cut that would have made the trade possible, and the 49ers nixed the idea of paying off part of his salary.
Kaepernick showed up Monday for the start of the offseason program under new head coach Chip Kelly despite the ongoing trade talks with the Broncos.
Kaepernick, who has spent the offseason in Vail, Colo., rehabbing his left shoulder, right thumb and left knee, flew from Denver to San Francisco on Sunday night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaepernick's arrival to the 49ers' facility keeps him in line for a $400,000 offseason workout bonus for 90 percent attendance in the workout program, which is voluntary.
The 49ers and Broncos have the parameters of an agreement in principle on a trade for Kaepernick, but the deal is being held up over disagreement on who will pay the quarterback's $11.9 million guaranteed salary for the 2016 season, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday.
A source confirmed to ESPN that the Broncos are willing to pay $7 million, and Denver and Kaepernick would like the San Francisco to pay the remaining $4.9 million. However, the 49ers have been unwilling to pay the difference and Kaepernick has been unwilling to forfeit the $4.9 million to make the deal work, according to the report.
The 49ers have granted Kaepernick's agents permission to seek a trade.
Kaepernick and Broncos executive vice president of football operations/general manager John Elway have met twice since March 15, according to the Chronicle.
Kaepernick met with at Elway's house in the Denver area last Thursday, the same day Kaepernick's $11.9 million base salary became guaranteed for this upcoming season.
After Peyton Manning retired and heir-apparent starter Brock Osweiler bolted to the Houston Texans, the Broncos acquired veteran Mark Sanchez from the Philadelphia Eagles last month. Trevor Siemian, a 2015 seventh-round pick who didn't play a snap as a rookie, also is on the Broncos' roster.
Kaepernick, 28, has been with the 49ers since they selected him in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played in only nine games last season due to a shoulder injury that landed him on injured reserve, and he lost his starting job to Blaine Gabbert. Kaepernick finished with 1,615 passing yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. In five seasons, Kaepernick has thrown for 10,030 yards with 56 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.
