Colin Kaepernick has informed all 32 NFL teams he’s going to opt out of his contract with the 49ers and become a free agent. When that happens, one team that definitely won’t pursue Kaepernick is the quarterback-needy Browns, a league source told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
Browns head coach Hue Jackson has demonstrated an affinity for Kaepernick in the past, so it’s conceivable the 29-year-old could have been on their radar. Jackson had interest last offseason in Kaepernick, who was then coming off an injury-plagued, statistically subpar campaign. But Kaepernick bounced back to a degree in 2016, as he tossed 16 touchdown passes against four interceptions, averaged 7.2 yards per attempt (up from 6.2 in 2015) and finished second among QBs in rushing yards (468, on a lofty 6.8 per carry) as part of a two-win team.
The only signal-caller who outrushed Kaepernick last year, the Bills’ Tyrod Taylor, will be on the Browns’ list if Buffalo releases him, reiterates Cabot. So could Buccaneers backup and soon-to-be free agent Mike Glennon, and the Browns also aren’t going to give up on acquiring either Patriots No. 2 Jimmy Garoppolo or Bengals reserve A.J. McCarron via trade, according to Cabot. The Patriots are reportedly unlikely to deal Garoppolo, though, while the Bengals will place a high price tag on McCarron – a former Jackson pupil – if anyone inquires about his availability.
Should the Browns fail to reel in a palatable long-term option via trades or free agency, the draft – in which they’re set to pick first and 12th overall – could be the avenue they take. Cabot notes they’ll “strongly consider” selecting a potential franchise passer then.
For now, their most established option under center is Robert Griffin III, who’s due a $750K roster bonus March 11. It’s possible Griffin will stay on the roster beyond that date, though, head of football operations Sashi Brown said Wednesday (via Cabot).
“That’s not going to be a major decision for us one way or the other in terms of a lever for making that decision,” he revealed. “We’re going to evaluate Robert, not his contract. And we’ve had some discussions there.”
I’ve been a Browns fan for 50 years, and have been loyal despite the poor management and bad teams. However if they sign Kaepernick I’m done. Not that it matters to them – but I wouldn’t be surprised if many other Browns fans would agree.
Would not be surprised if they get to the desperate point of putting No. 1 on the table for Jimmy G.
I will be done too Steve. 60 years old. Browns fan since I can remember and a 21 year Navy Veteran. They take him, Steelers fan
Thank you for your service and I don’t think you have to worry he’s a type of player who wants the big city lights on him he will end up in ny or Huston
Doubt he goes to Houston, if his behavior got on the nerves of people in California I doubt he’d have a lot of fans in Texas.
i think jimmy g could do decently well in cleveland but there’s no way he’s worth either one of our first round picks. i’m so sick of them trading our picks or trading down. what’s so wrong with holding onto the pick and taking the best possible talent available???
If the Browns sign him then I’m DONE! I have been a Browns fan for over 30 seconds, but this is the LAST straw! Signing him would go against every poorly hid passive racist value I hold dear! I will drop to my knees and shout to the heavens NOOOOOO! Clearly this is a sign of the apocalypse! Jesus please save us from the militant black QB!
What an absurd comment. Kaepernick is half white , half black, and raised by an adoptive white family. His “racism activism” is absolutely pathetic. He doesn’t belong in any conversation about racism and his growing an afro and disrespecting americans is pathetic. He wants to talk about race, how about thanking the white people who raised him to be the NFL player he is today. Without their sacrifice he would be nothing. But of course, hating the spoiled brat fake activist is racist. Grow up sbowflake. Not everyone in California is a stupid democrat.
Bay Area fan- I’m in Sacramento (raised in Cleveland) and know plenty of Dems (myself included) that would agree with most of what you wrote about Kaepernick. Also, he’s not that good a QB.
Yeah I hate to bring up politics on this site, but I blame that on kaepernick also. And, it seems commenter just assume if you’re in California you have a specific belief system. Just had to give my two cents. Sac-town eh? With a nickname like that you would think you could get a football franchise (raiders wink wink)
Hahaha
Like most of you I’d be done with the Browns if this player came to Cleveland. The article states, at least according to MKC, the Browns will not be one of the teams chasing this particular player. Much ado about nothing.
Good! Browns fans Suck anyway.
Not my quarterback
It’s funny because it’s been so long the Browns must’ve forgot what a good QB looks like. 4-1 TD/INT Ratio, Second most rushing yards by QB all while having the worst offense in football no weapons other than Hyde I’d take him over almost any other FA QB
The Browns had a high pick last year and blew it. Imagine Dak Prescott getting the Browns the playoffs wow
If they’d have drafted Prescott he’d already be on his way to flaming out of the NFL by age 28. Something about the dark cloud over this franchise, they could’ve drafted Payton Manning in his prime and he would’ve bombed.
Lol
Got to think it’s “stick a fork in him time” he’s done…. and Cleveland has suffered too too long to do that to them. I’m not even a Cleveland fan and feel sorry for the disgrace going on there to the fans. They have had more then there share of bad teams. Ownership right down to waterboy needs kicked in the a**
He should go to the Knicks and enjoy the triangle offense. He can sign a no trade clause and legally change his name to Colin Anthony.
Oops…meant that for the standing for the anthem post.