Elway: Kap not option for Broncos
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Broncos executive John Elway might find himself in the market for a veteran backup quarterback soon, but there’s one man who won’t be getting a call: Colin Kaepernick.
‘‘Colin had his chance to be here,’’ Elway said when he was asked Thursday whether the former 49ers quarterback would be an option if he decides the backup to starter Case Keenum isn’t already on the Broncos’ roster. ‘‘We offered him a contract. He didn’t take it. And as I said at my deposition [in Kaepernick’s collusion lawsuit against the NFL] — and I don’t know if I’m legally able to say this — but he’s had his chance to be here. He passed.’’
Kaepernick declined to take a pay cut from his $11.9 million salary to facilitate a trade to the Broncos after Peyton Manning’s retirement in March 2016.
Unable to get a discount from Kaepernick or a rebate from the 49ers, Elway moved up in the draft to select former Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch in the first round of the draft that spring.
Lynch, however, has been a flop and this week was demoted to third string behind Chad Kelly, who missed his rookie season in 2017 while recovering from knee and wrist surgeries.
Kaepernick contends he’s no longer in the NFL because he’s the one who started the protests during the national anthem that have engulfed the league ever since. At first he sat down, then later took a knee during ‘‘The Star-Spangled Banner’’ to highlight social injustices against minorities. Several players joined in, and President Donald Trump criticized them for disrespecting the flag and U.S. military by not standing during the anthem.
Lynch was beaten out in 2016 and 2017 by Trevor Siemian, who was traded to the Vikings in the offseason after the Broncos signed Keenum as a free agent. Elway declared the backup job up for grabs between Lynch and Kelly.
Lynch was demoted after failing to read defenses correctly and throwing for only 24 yards in seven series in the Broncos’ preseason opener against the Vikings. Kelly threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns in mop-up duty, but that was his first game in nearly two years. And he has had a tougher time this week while running with the second string against the Bears’ backups in joint practices.
What Elway is looking for in a backup quarterback is a guy ‘‘who has the experience and the ability to come in and help you win a football game,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a different quality because you have to be ready all the time and mentally be ready all the time.
‘‘And as hard as it is to find a starter, it’s just as hard to find a guy that can back up. So we’re always looking for those.’’
If Elway doesn’t feel comfortable with Kelly as his backup, he could sign a free agent next week or wait for final cuts Sept. 1 for more options.
‘‘We’ll wait through this week and see what happens,’’ Elway said. ‘‘I feel like we still have time.’’