Baalke: Colin Kaepernick could be traded this week

Update: Trent Baalke appeared to just be stating what he has been saying for a while now – that anything was possible. "I wouldn't say we are out there looking for it, but I wouldn't rule it out," Baalke told Holtzman regarding a possible Kaepernick trade. It is unknown if Schefter actually heard anything more or was exaggerating what he heard Baalke tell Holtzman.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke told ESPN's Bob Holtzman that it's possible QB Colin Kaepernick could be traded this week.


Of course, Thursday is the start of the 2016 NFL Draft. It has been speculated for some time that Kaepernick could be part of a trade leading up to the draft and possibly even during the draft. The 49ers own the seventh overall selection.

The Denver Broncos have been linked as potential trade partners for Kaepernick. However, his salary has been an issue holding up a deal. Denver currently has $7.051 million in cap space according to the latest NFLPA report. Kaepernick met with Broncos general manager John Elway, reportedly for the second time, at his home in the Denver area on March 31. The Broncos reportedly asked Kaepernick to take a nearly $7 million pay cut to help the trade go though, but Kaepernick was unwilling and reported to the 49ers' offseason program on April 4.

Shortly following his benching in November, Kaepernick was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury. He is recovering from multiple surgeries. While none are expected to cause long-term issues, he has had surgeries on his left shoulder, thumb, and knee since being placed on injured reserve. He had been recovering from his surgeries at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado.

Since being drafted out of Nevada by the 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Kaepernick has led San Francisco to two NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl.

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