Sure, the Denver Broncos don't want to pay all of Colin Kaepernick's contract. But they didn't want to pay Brock Osweiler's Houston Texans contract, either.
The Broncos and San Francisco 49ers remain at an impasse over the services of the mercurial contract, according to ESPN.
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Denver wants Kaepernick to take a $4.9 million pay cut for the privilege of moving to the Rocky Mountains, or the 49ers can pay the extra $4.9 million. Not surprisingly, both quarterback and NFC West team have said no.
The Broncos still have leverage, ESPN says, because Kaepernick doesn't want to play in San Francisco and 49ers management have not been overly zealous in trying to keep him.
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Denver, however, just paid $15 million to a quarterback who completed just 59.8 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions for a rating of 67.9 in 2015.
Peyton Manning agreed to the $15 million salary after he was scheduled to make $19 million.
The Broncos then reportedly offered backup Brock Osweiler, who completed 61.8 percent of his passes with 10 TDs, six interceptions and an 86.4 rating a three-year deal worth $50 million to remain but were one year and $22 million short of the Texans' offer to the Arizona State alum.
Why can't they come up with the money for Kaepernick?
Sure, they could've backloaded Osweiler's contract to make his salary cap-friendly in 2016, but how do they have leverage over Kaepernick and the 49ers?
The Broncos still have a team that can contend for a Super Bowl. Kaepernick, who has regressed the last two seasons, still has a higher ceiling than current projected Denver starter Mark Sanchez.
Chip Kelly is taking over a 5-11 49ers team and likely won't be fired after one year if he doesn't make significant progress. He can try to resurrect Kaepernick's career, and San Francisco isn't just one player away from being a Super Bowl team.
If they need to eat Kaepernick's salary this year, they will, just to make sure that his best days are behind him. They can easily cut him next season and be done with him.
The Broncos could offer almost anything to guarantee money beyond 2016 and have a better offer than the 49ers.
Of course, Kaepernick could remain a bust. But unless they think Mark Sanchez can lead them to a Super Bowl, shouldn't they gamble on Kaepernick? They still can draft a quarterback if they need to, but it seems they need Kaepernick more than he needs them.
At least, right now.
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