The NFL's free agency period has just begun, but the huge contract opportunities for quarterbacks may have passed.
The Cleveland Browns want Colin Kaepernick to take a $3.9 million to $4.9 million pay cut to trade for the disgruntled San Francisco 49ers quarterback, the Oregonian is reporting.
Colin Kaepernick Sours On Browns Over Free Agent Losses
"The Browns have been the most aggressive team, offering a third-round pick in exchange for Kaepernick. The Browns pick is the second of the round (63rd overall). The snag is the Browns demand for Kaepernick to restructure his contract, which will pay him $11.9 million in base salary beginning April 1. The Browns are reportedly willing to pay Kaepernick around $7-8 million annually, representing a major pay cut for Kaepernick.
"Kaepernick likes Cleveland coach Hue Jackson and is willing to restructure his contract, but he's hesitant to accept a significant pay cut to join a team that was 3-13 in 2015, lost five starters who signed free agent contracts with other teams and is expected to select a quarterback with the second overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft."
49ers Preparing To Keep Colin Kaepernick
By most indications, Kaepernick wouldn't have to give up a significant portion of his salary because the 49ers would be inclined to keep him rather than cut him before April 1 to be free of the $11.9 million they owe him.
And their interest in free agent Robert Griffin III is contingent upon what happens with Kap, according to another Oregonian report.
The contracts that Sam Bradford signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Brock Osweiler signed with the Houston Texans -- both for $18 million annually -- were thought to have inflated the market.
But no one is throwing a lot of money at Kaepernick, RGIII or Jets free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick.
New York is offering a deal worth just more than $7 million annually to Fitzpatrick, Sports Illustrated's MMQB.com reported, but the offer may have insulted Fitzpatrick to the point of being denied a chance to match another team's offer.
But he's at a disadvantage because no one has offered him more money, whereas Kaepernick is entering the third year of a seven-year contract.
Cleveland has to give Kaepernick a better reason than just an out from San Francisco for him to consider a pay cut.
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