NFL Trade Machine: Colin Kaepernick Falling Out Of Favor?
By Erik Lambert
Two years ago there wasn’t a hotter name in the NFL than Colin Kaepernick. He came out of nowhere originally as relief for starter Alex Smith and ended up carrying the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. He had it all: arm strength, size, intelligence, confidence and rare mobility. How could defenses hope to stop him?
Well it seems his coronation must be postponed. Since that debut season, Kaepernick has been on a steady decline for the 49ers. While he’s set to finish with more passing yards and touchdowns than last season, he will also have more interceptions, more fumbles, a lower completion percentage, and take more sacks as well. Strong hints are being dropped that despite his recent contract extension, Kaepernick is falling out of favor in the organization given his plateau.
Thus it opens the question. At age 27 and a boast a big but team-friendly deal, would the 49ers consider moving Kaepernick via trade in 2015? This could become especially true if head coach Jim Harbaugh ends up leaving as so many people expect. It would just be a matter of finding the right suitor.
Chip Kelly and Philadelphia Eagles are built for Kaepernick’s style
If there were one team out there that seems like the perfect fit, it would have to be the Philadelphia Eagles. Why? Their head coach Chip Kelly and his offensive system. History shows the scheme works at its best when a mobile quarterback is behind the center as it did at Oregon. Kelly has made due with Nick Foles and now Mark Sanchez but how giddy would the mad scientist be if he got his hands on an elusive runner like Colin Kaepernick?
It’s doubtless the two sides could work out a deal but the Eagles would have to find the money first. At present they are expected to have just $4.5 million in salary cap space when the 2015 NFL off-season begins. They’ll have to do some tweaking before they can handle Kaepernick’s projected $15.265 million cap figure.
Still, any deal is possible if both teams want it enough.