The Denver Broncos are reportedly interested in San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a replacement for retired two-time Super Bowl winner Peyton Manning, according to the latest NFL trade rumors.
The Broncos, this year's Super Bowl 50 winner, are looking for another star quarterback who could fill the void left by Manning, who retired from the sport after helping Denver defeat the Carolina Panthers in February.
According to Mike Klis of KUSA in Denver, the Broncos are still very interested in making a deal to land Kaepernick, but only if the 49ers quarterback is willing to take a pay-cut. Klis added that any deal involving Kaep would likely include a pick, making the trade deadline for the University of Nevada product on Apr. 28, when the 2016 NFL draft begins.
"The Broncos interest in Kaepernick comes with the caveat they want either the quarterback to take a pay cut that would pay him $14.3 million in 2016 ($11.9 million in salary; $2 million in a roster bonus if he is on the active roster for 9 games, and a $400,000 workout bonus), or for the 49ers to eat some of his salary before dealing him," Klis wrote.
Kaepernick has been the talk of trade rumors ever since the 28-year-old lost his starting job over Blaine Gabbert midway through the 2015-2016 regular season. That happened when sacked coach Jim Tomsula was still in charge.
But with Chip Kelly taking over at the Bay Area, there is a growing sense that Kaepernick and the former Philadelphia Eagles coach would get along, making it hard for the Broncos to strike any deal for the star QB.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are planning to take a closer look at Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche as one of the team's prospects on draft night, according to ESPN. Despite some off-field controversies involving the 6-foot-3½ 294-pounder, Denver believe they can unlock Nkemdiche's potential as they play host to 21-year-old on Thursday.
"Nkemdiche is the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the draft," NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks said, reports the NFL's official website. "If you can figure out what he is and what motivates him, you could uncover a star. I liken him to Darnell Dockett. If he plays, he can be a guy who can be a perennial Pro Bowl player."