Report: Eagles backed out of trade for Colin Kaepernick intending to draft Russell Wilson

The Eagles reportedly had a trade in place to acquire Colin Kaepernick for a second-round pick last offseason.(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The NFL's top two emerging young quarterbacks apparently slipped through the Philadelphia Eagles' grasp last offseason.

Prior to the 2012 NFL Draft, the Eagles came close to trading a second-round pick for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but backed out of the deal thinking they could draft Russell Wilson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The 49ers were open to trading Kaepernick because Alex Smith, who they eventually traded to the Chiefs, had led them to the NFC Championship Game in 2011.

But the Eagles' decision backfired when the Seattle Seahawks selected Wilson with the 12th pick in the third round, forcing Philadelphia to settle for current backup Nick Foles 13 picks later.

According to the report, the Eagles had "geared their whole draft around" Wilson, who led the Seahawks to the playoffs during a spectacular rookie season in 2012.

Wilson and Kaepernick face off on Sunday Night Football this week, guiding what many consider the two best teams in the NFC.

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