BOCA RATON, Fla — In the lobby of swanky Boca Raton Resort Club, Broncos general manager John Elway pulled off a signing Wednesday. It was an autograph. Not a quarterback. The Broncos continue to exercise patience in their approach to find competition for Mark Sanchez at the position.
San Francisco coach Chip Kelly did his best to douse the idea that it could be Colin Kaepernick as a free agent. Kelly said the 49ers have not discussed releasing Kaepernick before April 1 when his $11.9 million salary in 2016 becomes guaranteed.
“Not even in the conversation,” Kelly said at the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings. “You don’t cut talent.”
Kelly spoke with Kaepernick last week, telling him he would like to work with the former Nevada star. After dealing with a benching and multiple injuries last season, Kaepernick had his agent request a trade last month. The Broncos are interested in Kaepernick, but are reluctant to surrender a high draft pick. The trade market for Kaepernick appears to diminished with the Cleveland Browns, once a suitor for the 49ers’ quarterback, showing strong interest in signing free-agent Robert Griffin III.
