NFL Trade Machine: Moving Colin Kaepernick Out

Sep 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) signals a play in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

It seems the San Francisco 49ers are intent to let their roster almost literally wilt down to the dirt so they can grow it back from scratch.  Almost all of the veteran defensive pieces that guided the team to three-straight NFC championships have either left or retired.  One name that is seeing more and more buzz flowing his way about a possible NFL trade is Colin Kaepernick.

Bay Area writer Tim Kawakami has been on this possibility for months.  He’s of the belief that the 49ers constructed Kaepernick’s massive $114 million contract that would give them an easy way out via release or trade.  His reasoning for this line of thought is simple.

"“Kaepernick was Jim Harbaugh’s personally selected and groomed QB and Harbaugh isn’t the 49ers’ coach any more.”“Kaepernick’s performance level slipped last season and now he’ll be dealing with the first coaching change and possibly the first full schematic changes of his NFL career (depending on what Chryst does with the playbook).”“The 49ers signed Kaepernick to a deal last summer that gave them the right to cut Kaepernick now… or next spring… or the next spring after that (as long as it’s before April 1 each year)… without a blink.”"

Keep in mind the 49ers emphatically denied the very idea that they might want to trade Kaepernick back in the spring.  Sources close to the situation remained steadfast, saying the franchise was shopping him around hearing offers and were merely angry they got caught doing so.

Still, the truth is the 27-year old quarterback regressed in 2014.  He went from 25 total touchdowns and 12 turnovers to 20 touchdowns and 15 turnovers.  This despite throwing and completing more passes and rushing for more yards.  Something is not adding up.  The hope is a couple of recent additions to the receiving corps will give him the boost he needs, but the signs continue to point at San Francisco maneuvering to get out from under that contract sooner than later.

So the question becomes who would take him?

Philadelphia Eagles

In many ways Kaepernick is the same exact copy of Marcus Mariota:  tall, athletic and speedy quarterback who can throw the football like a pro.  Why wouldn’t Chip Kelly jump at the chance to bring that onto the Philadelphia Eagles roster.  After all, Sam Bradford is no guarantee at this point and is also a free agent in 2016.

Kansas City Chiefs

How ironic would this be?  Alex Smith left San Francisco to get away from Kaepernick, who stole his starting job there.  Now the 49ers stick it to him again.  Still, it makes sense.  Kaepernick is physically superior to Smith, and younger.  The Kansas City Chiefs are ready to win right now and it looks like quarterback might be their weak link.

Buffalo Bills

Rex Ryan is always on the lookout for help at quarterback and he has the benefit of employing Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, the same man who tutored Kaepernick in San Francisco for four seasons.  The familiarity is hard to ignore, as is the pitiful situation at quarterback the Buffalo Bills have.