Colin Kaepernick Rumors: QB Reportedly Refuses Pay Cut to Help Broncos Trade

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has reportedly decided he will not take a pay cut to facilitate a trade to the Denver Broncos.

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported Monday talks between the Broncos and the 49ers are at a stalemate because Kaepernick will not budge on his guaranteed 2016 salary. The 49ers are also refusing to pay any part of his salary to make the move. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided confirmation of the report.

Mike Klis of 9News reported that trade talks between the two teams are "still on" but noted that they're just "stalemated on who pays what" of Kaepernick's salary.

Kaepernick, 28, has reportedly been seeking a trade throughout the offseason after a tumultuous 2015, per NFL Network's Rand Getlin. He threw for 1,615 yards and six touchdowns against five interceptions in nine games last season, eventually being benched for former first-round bust Blaine Gabbert amid injury issues. Kaepernick underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in November and had subsequent procedures on his thumb and his knee in January.

Denver has emerged as Kaepernick's most likely destination, but the two sides have hit numerous speed bumps along the way. ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported the Broncos are only willing to pay $7 million for Kaepernick's services in 2016, with either the 49ers paying the remaining $4.9 million or Kaepernick taking a pay cut of that amount.

For their part, Kaepernick and the 49ers are both unwilling to budge. The team is in the midst of a scheme overhaul under new head coach Chip Kelly, and Kaepernick's athleticism is a strong on-paper fit.

It's also fair to wonder if the 49ers are hesitant about selling at the bottom of Kaepernick's value less than two years after he looked like a franchise face.

As for Kaepernick, he signed a team-friendly deal once, and his current contract is among the worst in the NFL for that reason. While his base salary is now guaranteed for the 2016 season since he was on the roster April 1, the 49ers (or any other team) are not required to pay him a single cent afterward.

The remainder of his contract consists of large base salaries, which are nonguaranteed. He's due roster bonuses at the beginning of the league year, per Over the Cap, but those can be removed by a simple cut. The deal is perhaps the most team-friendly non-rookie contract for a quarterback in football.

Anyone who expects Kaepernick to give up nearly $5 million has not ever faced the prospect of giving up $5 million. Given that he showed up for the first day of offseason training on Monday, per Schefter, it's clear he's not even willing to forfeit the $400,000 workout bonus that's part of his deal.

That unwillingness to budge may make his desired exit from San Francisco difficult.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.