NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos Eye Colin Kaepernick; San Francisco 49ers QB Rejects Jarryd Hayne, Chip Kelly

By Mitch de Leon
Colin Kaepernick is San Francisco 49ers' quarterback.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has voiced his interest to leave his current team and move to the New York Jets next season. Twitter/@NYDNSports

The Denver Broncos have managed to achieve the almost impossible task in the previous NFL season. The team, which was plagued by injuries and controversies courtesy of Peyton Manning, accomplished what most fans never thought they could that year: bag the Super Bowl 50 trophy. Apart from the sheer difficulty of the journey to the final round, the Denver Broncos faced the Carolina Panthers. The team, which was led by the widely talked about Cam Newton, was filled to the seams with healthy stars and indescribable potential.

Hence, the Denver Broncos are considered as very strong contenders for the next NFL season. However, things took an unexpected turn when the Super Bowl 50 champs found themselves without a quarterback for the upcoming football year. With Manning retiring, the Denver Broncos predictably turned to Brock Osweiler as the new starter. However, the younger quarterback spurned the offer and opted to go for the Houston Texans.

"It was very difficult," shared Osweiler of his decision to leave the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN. He added, "I'd be lying to you if I said anything else. I had a tremendous four seasons there in Denver, and you know those are four years that I'll always hold very close to my heart."

The departure of Osweiler pushed the Denver Broncos to look into other quarterbacks in the league. One of the most widely talked about football star who might be joining the Super Bowl 50 champs in Colin Kaepernick. Amid the staff changes in the San Francisco 49ers and his stint as the sub of Blaine Gabbert, Kaepernick reportedly wants out of the Santa Clara team. Sources disclosed that the San Francisco 49ers are looking into the NFL trade options for the quarterback.

"The San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos might be getting close to a deal to trade Colin Kaepernick," noted David Fucillo of Niners Nation. He further shared that the two NFL teams "are there in compensation for Kaepernick." Fucillo noted that "the Broncos now were working on a contract restructure with Kaepernick."

He added, "Trent Baalke and John Elway have a good working relationship, and Kaepernick can potentially head to a solid situation where he has a strong chance of starting for a team with a strong defense. If any deal is going to happen, this makes as much sense as any."

This rumor dampens the expectations of fans who thought the entry of Kelly in the San Francisco 49ers roster would see a positive change in Kaepernick's future. While the quarterback has yet to officially comment on the matter, there are speculations that his dismay over the treatment he received in the previous NFL season overrules his desire to stay with the team.

Meanwhile, Kelly is focusing on yet another controversial player in the San Francisco 49ers roster: Jarryd Hayne. The Australian star entered the NFL community in an effort to fulfill his dream to become a football star. While his fumbles became the center of scrutiny, it looks like the Hayne Plane might be ready to take off once again this season.

"It's pretty amazing just because I know how difficult this game is," shared Kelly of Hayne in an interview. He added, "And to not have any background in it and to be able to play it at the highest level, that's pretty incredible and speaks to the kind of athlete he is. He's one of the guys that you're really excited to see what they can do. What type of jump can he make in Year 2 with a better understanding of the game? He certainly has a skill set that is intriguing."

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories