After just one game as a member of the Cleveland Browns, Robert Griffin III was placed on the IR with a shoulder injury. Veteran Josh McCown is the next man up, but history suggests he won’t give the franchise a shot at winning. With that in mind, could the Browns look outside the organization for the answer to their quarterback conundrum?
Could Colin Kaepernick be the answer?
That’s exactly what San Francisco 49ers beat writer, Cam Inman of the Mercury News, speculated on Monday.
Months ago, I said 49ers Kaepernick could be trade bait if QBs got hurt. Vikings & Cowboys didn't bite. Will Browns? https://t.co/nrMsnE2S6F
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 12, 2016
On the surface, knowing that Hue Jackson has been a fan of Kaepernick’s skill set for a long time, this appears to be an appealing solution for the Browns. Also, the Browns were reportedly players in the failed Kaepernick derby after he asked to be traded during the offseason. Ultimately, they went with RG3, instead.
Jackson likes mobile passers who can sling the ball deep, and Kaepernick has the tools to make that work. So Inman’s speculation here about the Browns potentially being interested does make some sense.
Unfortunately, there are a few holes in the argument.
First and foremost, Kaepernick simply does not physically look ready to play after three offseason surgeries, let alone play behind another shaky offensive line.
Secondly, even if the Browns did bring Kaepernick right now, it would be weeks before he was ready to execute a new offensive scheme that he’d never seen before.
Third, there is a chance that Cleveland, like most of the league (apparently), doesn’t think Kaepernick is really that good.
And finally, the Browns are likely not going to go out of their way to dump draft currency when it seems clear they’ll be one of the teams gunning for that No. 1 overall pick next year in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Now, no team likes to even pretend to tank a season. But we all saw what a dumpster fire Cleveland’s defense was in Week 1, going up against a rookie quarterback, no less. The offense has a couple of exciting weapons, but overall the roster is in need of a significant overhaul.
While the Browns do own a hoard of draft picks next year, they might actually need them all.
Kaepernick isn’t going anywhere, at least in this scribe’s opinion. But if the Browns did want to make a move now, he’d probably be the best choice left in the dismal NFL quarterback market.