Colin Kaepernick’s time in San Francisco is apparently close to being at an end.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers have been in discussions with the Denver Broncos about a possible trade. The deal is reportedly contingent on Kaepernick agreeing to a restructured contract. His $11.9 million base salary for 2016 became fully guaranteed as of April 1st. He also carries a $15.89 million cap hit for next season that the Broncos probably want to reduce.
The Niners are expected to receive a middle round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft in return.
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
Report: Broncos Close to Landing Colin Kaepernick
Kaepernick burst onto the scene during the 2012 season, his second in the league. He would take over in Week 10 after then starter Alex Smith suffered a concussion. A week later, he got his first career start and was hugely impressive. He would throw for 246 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in a 32-7 rout of the Chicago Bears.
He would remain the starter for the rest of the regular season. The 49ers would go 4-2 in that span and finish with an 11-4-1 record. It was good enough for the team to win the NFC West and receive a bye into the divisional round of the playoffs.
His standout play would continue in the postseason. Against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick would account for 444 yards of total offense, including 181 rushing yards. The latter would set an NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. He also had two touchdowns apiece through the air and on the ground. The 49ers would win 45-31 and defeat the Atlanta Falcons 28-24 a week later to reach Super Bowl XLVII. They would take on the Baltimore Ravens. Though Kaepernick finished the game with 378 combined yards (76 rushing) as well as one passing and rushing touchdowns, Baltimore narrowly triumphed 34-31.
2013 was more of the same from Kaepernick. He would become the first 49ers quarterback in nine years to throw for over 400 yards in a 34-28 season-opening win against Green Bay. Overall, he ended the regular season with 3,194 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was also the team’s second leading rusher with 524 yards on the ground.
San Francisco would finish 12-4 but finished a game behind the Seattle Seahawks for the division title. The two would meet a few weeks later in the NFC Championship Game. It was there that Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson would narrowly outduel Kaepernick in a 23-17 Seattle win. Kaepernick rushed for 130 yards, but managed just 153 passing yards while throwing a touchdown and two interceptions.
Ahead of the 2014 season, Kaepernick would sign a six-year, $114 million extension. He would then throw for 3,000+ passing yards for the second straight season. But despite a 7-4 start, the 49ers would limp to a 1-4 finish to close the 2014 season 8-8. As a result, the team would miss the playoffs for the first time in three years. Shortly after the season, head coach Jim Harbaugh announced he was leaving for Michigan.
Then things began to unravel for the 28-year-old. He made just eight starts in 2015, averaging just 202 yards passing in those games. He also threw just six touchdowns to five interceptions. Four of those picks came in a 47-7 rout at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in week 3 where Kaepernick had just 67 yards through the air. He would eventually get benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert in week 9. Two weeks later, he would be shelved for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder.
Kaepernick was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the 49ers.
