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5 Possible Destinations for 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:50 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Peter Panacy/FanSided via Niner Noise

Dec 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) pumps his fist as he acknowledges the cheers from the 49ers’ fans after leading his team to a 22-21 come-from-behind win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is expected to opt out of his current contract this offseason. Niner Noise looks at five possible destinations for the controversial signal-caller.

On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick would opt out of his current contract and test the free-agent market this offseason.

It’s not a surprise, really. Considering Kap’s strained relationship with the team’s front office the last few years, a change of scenery might do the quarterback some good.

But where would he land?

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There are a number of teams looking for quarterbacking solutions this offseason. Yes, the 49ers are one of them.

Let’s assume, however, the Niners are content on “letting that ship sail” and allowing Kaepernick to walk. In all reality, he isn’t coming back to Santa Clara for 2017 anyway.

Yet we also have to consider how the rest of the league feels about him too.

Back in August, Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman reported an “estimated 90 to 95 percent of NFL front offices” felt Kaepernick would not be welcomed on their team, especially based on his handling of the national anthem and other various social issues.

Whether or not you agree with Kap’s stance is one thing. It’s what other front-office types think that will determine where he plays in 2017.

If at all.

So let’s look at the possibilities outside of San Francisco.

Dec 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks (96) knocks the ball away from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears

Unless the Chicago Bears are banking on quarterback Jay Cutler somehow finding a consistent magic, it’s pretty clear they’ll be in need of another guy under center.

And soon.

Just like the 49ers, the Bears are armed with a top-five pick in the NFL Draft though — No. 3, to be exact.

Also like San Francisco, Chicago has plenty of needs. So it’s no guarantee they’ll target a quarterback first.

Still, the thought of Colin Kaepernick going to the Bears doesn’t appear to be enticing enough.

The reason why is reports already surfaced last year of Cutler losing the locker room. Considering this fragile situation, the thought of Kaepernick suddenly uniting everyone around him and his message isn’t totally plausible.

It might have worked to a point with the Niners, but don’t expect the same message to replicate.

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) tackles San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets

The New York Jets are another quarterback-hungry team looking to find a replacement for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is assured to be on the outs.

And remember back when Colin Kaepernick expressed interest in playing for the Jets a year ago?

Well, New York needs a quarterback. And Kap already showed he’d be interested. Makes sense, right?

Not when politics get involved.

As Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat pointed out, Jets owner Woody Johnson is a devout supporter of President Donald Trump.

All one needs to do is scroll through Kaepernick’s Twitter feed to determine how little a fan he is of Trump.

Cross this one of the list.

Aug 14, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Ostweiler (17) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks (55) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans

Despite being a playoff team in 2016, it’s perfectly clear the Houston Texans need a quarterback. Brock Osweiler is not the answer.

In reality, a decent quarterback would be the one thing the Texans likely need to get over the hump. They have a great defense and a solid wide receiver corps. All that’s lacking is someone to effectively work under center.

Even though the Texans are dishing out huge money to Osweiler, Colin Kaepernick’s likely free-agent value won’t be that high. Houston could afford it if it really wanted to.

Still, this doesn’t make the Texans a likely option.

Rarely do I mix politics, social regions and sports. But it’s impossible to view a red state like Texas embracing Kaepernick’s social platform. It worked in California, to a degree. But the same message won’t fly in a place like Houston.

It would be the perfect way to anger an already frustrated fan base.

Oct 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is sacked by Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (95) in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos

Now this has to seem like a possibility, right? After all, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway expressed interest in trading for Colin Kaepernick a year ago. The only reason a pending deal fizzled out was due to hangups on the amount of money the quarterback was to be paid.

Now, Elway could have Kap for a massive discount on last year’s cost.

The other part of the Kaepernick-to-Denver story was the Broncos’ drafting of quarterback Paxton Lynch at the tail end of Round 1 in 2016.

Perhaps Lynch isn’t ready to go by Week 1 this season. But remember, first-round quarterback are given plenty of leverage in earning a starting gig.

At best, the Broncos would look at Kaepernick as little more than a stopgap, hold-the-line option. He may only be brought in for competition and/or depth purposes.

Lynch all but put an end to Kaepernick going to Denver.

It’s highly unlikely he goes there now.

Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson checks field conditions before the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are also in dire need of a quarterback this offseason. With head coach Hue Jackson in place looking to right the ship, one can draw conclusions about Colin Kaepernick landing there as well.

Especially when there was reported mutual interest between the two a year ago.

But times are vastly different between 2016 and 2017. The Browns are armed with two first-round picks in this year’s NFL Draft — Nos. 1 and 12. While it’s unlikely they’ll take a rookie QB with their first overall pick, selecting one at No. 12 is a real possibility.

If Cleveland doesn’t go that route — or even if they do — the Browns are also reportedly in contention for New England Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, as NFL analyst Benjamin Allbright reported:

So the Browns don’t exactly appear to be a hot landing spot either. They have other options, and good ones, available.

That leaves us back at the 49ers. San Francisco will also be looking to fill this position via free agency and/or the draft.

More from Niner Noise

Perhaps the Niners’ new regime of general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan want to bring him back, albeit at a discounted rate.

Or not.

And if we look at the writing on the wall, all of it is pointing to Kaepernick not even being in the NFL next year.

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