EXCLUSIVE: Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco, prefers Jets next season: sources -...

The Jets’ decades-long search for a franchise quarterback could unexpectedly land them one of the most dynamic players in the league.

The Daily News has learned that embattled 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wants out of San Francisco after a forgettable 2015 that included on-field struggles that resulted in a benching midway through the season and a coaching change after it. The Jets are his preferred destination, according to sources.

The Jets are aware and intrigued by Kaepernick’s desire to play for them, but are still in the early stages of their offseason planning and evaluation, according to sources. They’re also deathly afraid of tampering (see: Darrelle Revis situation, circa 2015).

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General manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles have expressed their desire to re-sign impending free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick, but nothing is guaranteed. (The Jets and Fitzpatrick’s camp are expected to discuss an extension in the coming weeks).

Although Kaepernick wants to play in New York, he still has five years remaining on a blockbuster $114 million extension signed in 2014 that includes escape hatches for his current employer. The Jets, coming off a 10-win season, would have to trade for Kaepernick or wait until he’s cut.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Colin Kaepernick wants to put the 49ers in the past and start over elsewhere next season, preferably in New York with the Jets.

VIDEO: COLIN KAEPERNICK'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS/LOWLIGHTS WITH 49ERS

The 49ers must make a decision to keep, trade or cut Kaepernick before April 1 when his 2016 base salary of $11.9 million becomes guaranteed. San Francisco would save $8.5 million by cutting Kaepernick, who is scheduled to have a $15.9 million cap charge this season.

The possibility of landing the 28-year-old dual-threat signal caller presents an interesting option for the Jets, who still want to bring back Fitzpatrick as a short-term solution at the right price. Kaepernick, however, offers Maccagnan and Bowles the rare opportunity to land a difference-making quarterback entering his prime at a discounted rate.

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It’s unclear what San Francisco’s asking price would be in a trade, but Kaepernick certainly would have to sign for less than what the 49ers are scheduled to pay on his current deal if he were cut. Would the Jets be willing to part ways with draft picks — they only have six this season, including one in each of the first four rounds — or wait for Kaepernick to be released before making a move?

The Jets — and their pair of 1,000-yard receivers — are the most enticing alternative for Kaepernick, who was considered one of the league’s bright young stars not long ago. Kaepernick, three years removed from taking the 49ers to back-to-back NFC Championship Games — and one play away from consecutive Super Bowl trips — has become disillusioned with the franchise that selected him in the second round in 2011. His frayed relationship with the team during the past year has shown no signs of improvement.

New San Francisco head coach Chip Kelly didn’t exactly give Kaepernick a ringing endorsement last month after the dual-threat quarterback went 2-6 as a starter under train-wreck Jim Tomsula in the first year of the post Jim Harbaugh era. Owner Jed York declared last week that there’s “no question” in his mind that Kaepernick can re-gain his job as the starter.

VIDEO: COLIN KAEPERNICK'S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS WITH 49ERS

"I've always had a very, very high opinion of Kap,” York said. “Kap's a great kid. He's done a lot of great things for us. Again, this is a fresh start for everybody."

Kelly’s read-option offense appears ideal for the athletic Kaepernick’s skill set, but the quarterback wants to take his talents elsewhere. Kaepernick, who had left shoulder surgery in November and right thumb and left knee surgeries last month, is rehabbing with personal trainers in Colorado rather than at the team facility.

Elsa/Getty Images
Leaving San Francisco is easier said than done for Colin Kaepernick, who still has five years remaining on a $114 million extension signed in 2014.

It’s unclear whether the rocky relationship can be mended, but he believes that the Jets make sense for him at this point in his career. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s success at tailoring schemes to his personnel shouldn’t be overlooked, either. In 1997, Gailey turned Steelers’ dual-threat quarterback Kordell Stewart into a game-changing force (32 total touchdowns) that got Pittsburgh to within one win of the Super Bowl.

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Fitzpatrick’s leadership and production were invaluable in Bowles’ first season, but the Jets don’t have a clear-cut successor at the game’s most important position. They have no long-term solution.

The brain trust is cautiously optimistic that Bryce Petty will develop into a viable option, but there is no guarantee that the investment will ultimately pay off a couple years down the road.

Kaepernick, who is 31-22 as a starter in five seasons, including four playoff wins, is five years younger than Fitzpatrick with a higher ceiling than anyone on the Jets’ roster. He went 10-14 in the past two tumultuous seasons that prompted concerns about his ability to grow and adapt.

Ken Goldfield/Ken Goldfield
Colin Kaepernick's possible arrival could throw a wrench in the Jets' plans to bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick as quarterback next season.

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He has proven that he can win in big moments, but has he peaked? Or can he rekindle the magic with a new team? Will he even be available?

Kaepernick wants to play in New York. The Jets need to thoroughly explore the possibility.

The potential payoff is too high.

@MMehtaNYDN

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