Colin Kaepernick trade rumors: Trent Baalke denies as Eagles added to the mix

Sunday evening, Houston NFL writer Jayson Braddock reported the San Francisco 49ers had put quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the trade market. Trent Baalke made a rare comment on rumors, denying the rumor:

"Colin is our quarterback and we are excited to have him," Baalke said in a statement. "He is not going anywhere. The media reports suggesting otherwise are without merit and, quite frankly, ridiculous."

Since then, Braddock has doubled down on the rumor. There had been suggestions this might involve people calling and the 49ers turning them down, but he is saying his source said the team specifically put it out there that Kap is on the market. He is now also saying that the Philadelphia Eagles and an unnamed NFC team are "in talks" regarding Kap.

Germinator posted some quick comments from what Braddock said on a KNBR interview:

He said he stumbled on the story following the Maxwell signing. He said he was shocked by it and couldn't believe it so he started birddogging it. Then he confirmed it with two other sources. When asked if he thought it was just the 49ers checking temp, he said he wouldn't speculate on that openly to say the exact quote form a source was, "Colin Kaepernick is on the trading block". He said it was so shocking he threw it out there on a Sunday night knowing he was in for a hell storm and everyone would come after him.

Apparently I really should never have come to Las Vegas. While I am glad that Baalke would go on record to deny the rumor, I can't really put a lot of faith in any sort of denial. The team denied Harbaugh was out the door, so it kind of removes validity from denials when these kinds of rumors take hold.

Even though the 49ers would be starting quite literally from scratch at the quarterback position (none would be under contract), I can't put anything past this team at this point.  They have entered Bill Simmons's Tyson Zone, where anything could happen and it would not be entirely shocking. I think we past that with the Willis news this morning.