Cleveland Browns should stay far away from Colin Kaepernick
The Cleveland Browns were linked to have interest in Colin Kaepernick in 2016, but should not pursue any sort of discussions with the quarterback in 2017.
When news broke Wednesday that Colin Kaepernick was set to become a free agent, some Cleveland Browns fans may have slipped into a state of fear. With the team’s quarterback situation so uncertain, anyone is a possibility.
But right away, a potential Kaepernick pursuit was seemingly shut down, according to a tweet from Mary Kay Cabot.
#Browns won't pursue Colin Kaepernick despite Hue Jackson's heavy interest last year, source says https://t.co/a89ZNadU5m
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 1, 2017
The news comes from a “league source,” but a lot of news that comes out at this point in the year is hard to trust. This is not to discount Cabot’s story, but as the potential options continue to sign with other teams, the Browns may get desperate when it comes to finding a starting quarterback for the 2017 season.
With Kirk Cousins already franchise tagged and Jimmy Garoppolo allegedly off the market, although that could be another smokescreen story, the options are running thin.
Tyrod Taylor is a name that will be linked to the Browns until he is either kept by Buffalo or joins another team, but his availability is still in question.
If he goes elsewhere, or stays in Buffalo, the Browns are left with drafting a rookie and throwing him out on the field right away or sticking with Robert Griffin III or Cody Kessler, in what would be a painful competition for fans to watch play out.
The report from Cabot seems to signal that the Browns are smart enough to avoid another project quarterback in Kaepernick, but Jimmy Haslam is certainly expecting more than one win this season. That should lead to some pressure in the front office to find a competent quarterback to take the field, but Kaepernick should never be an option.
He has never been the same since Jim Harbaugh left to coach at Michigan, and only managed to throw for 16 touchdowns in 12 games this past season. When Blaine Gabbert starts in front of you while you are on a massive deal, there’s a problem.
Fans must now hope that the front office doesn’t gamble on a sub-par player like Kaepernick. Sticking with Griffin as the starter may be worse, but even that seems less likely with each passing day.
Next: Time to panic about Pryor?
This team needs a starter to build around, and Kaepernick is not qualified. He was not the guy in San Francisco, and would be a terrible fit for this rebuilding Browns team. Let’s just hope the sources are telling the truth.