Report: Kaepernick trade to Browns hinges on pay cut

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The 49ers and Cleveland Browns are reportedly a lot closer to a reaching a deal than the Browns and quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The possibility of the 49ers trading Kaepernick to Cleveland hinges on the Browns’ ability to work out an agreement to restructure Kaepernick’s contract, sources told Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.

According to the report, the 49ers want the Browns’ second-round pick, but they might settle for their third-round selection because it is so early in the round at No. 65 overall.

The Denver Broncos, who acquired quarterback Mark Sanchez in a trade Friday with the Philadelphia Eagles, remain in the picture for Kaepernick, too. The Broncos’ second-round pick as Super Bowl champions is just two spots in front of the Browns’ third-round selection.

[RELATED: Quarterbacks on the move, while Kaepernick stays put...for now]

Kaepernick’s representatives asked permission from the 49ers to seek a trade two weeks ago at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The 49ers did not immediately act on the request. But with reports that teams are talking to Kaepernick about contract terms suggests that the 49ers have given permission for Kaepernick’s agents to negotiate with the teams involved in trade talks. Mike Siliver of the NFL Network reports the Broncos and Kaepernick's representatives have engaged in "productive talks" about a possible new deal.

Kaepernick is currently rehabbing after surgeries to his left shoulder, right thumb and left knee in Vail, Colorado. He is scheduled to make $11.9 million in base salary this season, a figure that is guaranteed for injury only. It becomes fully guaranteed on April 1, if he remains on the 49ers’ roster at that time. His contract also includes a total of $2 million in per-game roster bonuses, as well as a $400,000 offseason workout bonus.

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The contract Kaepernick signed in June 2014 that runs through the 2020 season averages $19 million per season. The Browns would like to reduce his scheduled pay in half, according to cleveland.com. The Browns on Friday made the expected move of waiving quarterback Johnny Manziel after two seasons.

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