Report: Colin Kaepernick wants to join the Cleveland Browns
Reports have surfaced saying Colin Kaepernick wants to become a member of the Cleveland Browns.
The 2016 NFL free agency period is one of the most interesting starts to free agency in a long time.
The Cleveland Browns began by losing Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, Travis Benjamin and Tashaun Gipson, and followed it up with no signings.
Some good news came earlier today when the team decided to finally release Johnny Manziel, who will have a tough time finding work in 2016.
Just when things seemed to be somewhat settling down, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke some rather unexpected news.
In an article on ESPN.com, Schefter wrote that Colin Kaepernick actually wants to come play for the Browns.
"Colin Kaepernick wants to play in Cleveland for new Browns coach Hue Jackson, multiple sources told ESPN. The Browns have lost five players through free agency, and some players over the past couple of weeks have said privately that they view playing in Cleveland like going to college: up to four years and they’re out. But Kaepernick is embracing the idea of playing for the Browns, according to Schefter. The Browns and 49ers have had trade conversations."
What?
The New York Jets and the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos have expressed interested in Kaepernick, but instead he wants to come join the Browns.
The Broncos and the Jets are still options, but they have made some moves that may mean Kaepernick is on his way to Cleveland.
RGIII is visiting the Jets, source said (as @AdamSchefter reported). Would likely be (they hope) behind Ryan Fitzpatrick
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2016
Broncos traded for former Eagles and Jets QB Mark Sanchez, as @MikeKlis reported. Broncos gave Eagles a conditional 7th round pick in 2017.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2016
Both Robert Griffin III and Mark Sanchez may be backup plans at quarterback for the Jets and Broncos respectively, but the fact this news is coming out shows they may be moving past the idea of trading for Kaepernick.
Trading for Kaepernick may prove that the front office does not value either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz highly. This would open up the possibility of drafting a player like Jalen Ramsey with the second overall pick, or even Laremy Tunsil.
Neither are flashy picks, but they would do a great deal to help the team rebuild moving forward.
The way this free agency period has gone, the Browns trading for Kaepernick would not be a surprising move. Only a curious one.
Next: Johnny Manziel has been released
Free agency is underway – maybe somebody should tell the Browns? – and Cleveland has around $48 million in cap space to spend. Follow Dawg Pound Daily for all the latest news on free agency as the Browns work to rebuild their roster.