When last we left Colin Kaepernick, he was left for dead with the 49ers.

Things may have changed in a big way for the embattled quarterback.

49ers May Be Stuck With Colin Kaepernick In 2016

Hue Jackson's hiring with the Browns has introduced a possible suitor for Kaepernick's services, according to The Sacramento Bee. When Kaepernick entered the 2011 NFL draft, Jackson was coach of the Raiders and was said to have evaluated the Nevada Wolf Pack star as the highest rated quarterback in that year's draft -- which included Cam Newton.

Kaepernick would become available to Jackson and the Browns in 2016 should the 49ers decide to release him before April 1 to void the remaining five years on his seven-year, $126 million contract.

Colin Kaepernick Throws Shade At Former Coach Jim Tomsula

Done deal right?

Not with the 49ers' own coaching search still ongoing. Former Broncos and Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, and former Eagles coach Chip Kelly are two of the bigger names in that search.

NFL analysts believe Kelly would consider the versatile Kaepernick the perfect quarterback for his fastbreak offense. Shanahan has enjoyed considerable success with athletic quarterbacks John Elway in Denver, where the pair won two Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998, and later with Robert Griffin III with the Redskins during Griffin's rookie season.

Shanahan's last year in Washington in 2013 was a disastrous 3-13. He said in 2014 to USA Today Sports he'd consider a return to coaching, but "it would have to be a situation where there was a realistic opportunity to win a Super Bowl," according to the San Jose Mercury News.

Blaine Gabbert, who started the final eight games for the 49ers, is considered a game manager who's not going to win San Francisco a lot of games on his own. Kaepernick did win games on his own, earlier in his 49ers career. He hasn't done that the past two years, but the fact that those wins are on his resume keep him as a possible big recruiting chip in the franchise's search for a coach.

So Kaepernick may find himself with at least a pair of suitors, in Cleveland and San Francisco -- at least until April.

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