After a free agent exodus in the first two days of the league year, there may be good news for Cleveland. Someone may actually want to play there.
According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants to play for the Browns. The disgruntled quarterback has been made available by the 49ers, and according to the report, unlike many players in the league, he’s hoping to land in Cleveland.
“… Kaepernick is embracing the idea of playing for the Browns, according to Schefter. The Browns and 49ers have had trade conversations.
To date, the Browns have expressed more interest than the Broncos, who have been slow-playing their interest in Kaepernick so far.”
So why would Kaepernick even consider going to place quarterbacks go to die? Schefter reports multiple sources tell him Kaepernick wants to play for new Browns coach Hue Jackson.
Here's a sentiment not many have shared recently: Colin Kaepernick wants to play in Cleveland. Respects Hue Jackson. Browns-Niners talking.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2016
Jackson, himself, said when he was the Raiders head coach in 2011 that he and Al Davis tried desperately to move up for Kaepernick in the draft.
“I think about it all the time, believe me,” Jackson told Sports Illustrated in 2013. “No question in my mind we wanted it to happen, and no question I thought it could happen. We wanted the kid in the worst way.”
Kaepernick is an enticing candidate for many teams looking to upgrade their QB position, despite the cost it will take to get him from San Francisco. He’s an athletic, mobile QB, who knows how to keep defenses on their heels. Yes, 2015 was a total disaster for him and the 49ers, but wasn’t discouraging enough for Kaepernick to keep potential suitors away. That could drive the price up, for sure.
The Browns are reportedly cutting Johnny Manziel today, which may be the precursor to acquiring Kaepernick. That’s not a sure thing, given that move was expected anyway, and the Denver Broncos and New York Jets are apparently interested in his services as well. The Kaepernick sweepstakes are heating up.
Whether a deal can be struck or not, the news bodes well for Cleveland, as someone actually wants to play for the Browns.
[ESPN]
