Colin

Kaepernick

In a letter to Jets GM Joe Douglas, Kaepernick says he would be “honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity” to lead the team’s practice squad. The letter was interestingly released by rapper J. Cole and contains Kaepernick’s arguments on why he would be a good addition for the Jets. He added Jim and John Harbaugh, Chip Kelly, and Mark Davis as references in the message. The 35-year-old last played for the 49ers in 2016, staying in the limelight for his social justice activities and workouts to return to play over the years.

Kaepernick is “in good shape and can still fling the ball way downfield,” notes Tatur. Kaepernick’s workout was reviewed in much the same way by Jeremy Fowler in late May. The 34-year-old quarterback hasn’t played since 2016, but would likely be a better backup quarterback than some teams currently employ if someone decides to sign him.

Fowler previously reported that the workout “was largely considered a positive.” The Raiders have Nick Mullens and Jarrett Stidham, who they traded for, already on the roster. That isn’t an elite backup duo, but it may be enough to prevent Vegas from signing anyone else at the moment. Kaepernick will continue to get some buzz throughout the summer, though it remains unlikely that a team takes a shot on him given the last time he took the field was in 2016.

In his quest to return to the NFL, Kaepernick reportedly turned in a solid outing with the Raiders on Thursday. Fowler noted that his arm strength and conditioning were both “good overall” as we now wait to get word on a potential signing. The 34-year-old quarterback last played in the league in 2016, but could push for the backup role behind Derek Carr. The Raiders made a trade for former Patriot Jarrett Stidham two weeks ago, and also have journeyman Nick Mullens on the roster.

Raiders owner Mark Davis has been vocal in his support of Kaepernick, and he’s backing up his words by having his team at least take a look at the 34-year-old who hasn’t played a snap since he was blackballed by the league following the 2016 season. Jarret Stidham and Nick Mullens are Derek Carr’s current backups.

Kaepernick is looking for any NFL opportunity and offered to meet with teams and conduct private workouts. Now 34 years old, and having last taken a snap in 2016, Kaepernick’s only realistic path back into the league is as a backup. A backup job remains unlikely, however. NFL teams have been completely unwilling to put Kaepernick on their payroll following his protest against racial injustice and police violence.

All NFL personnel in attendance of Michigan’s spring game will be permitted to watch Kaepernick’s exhibition. Kaepernick has been making the rounds, throwing with various NFL receivers this offseason. He appears to be positioning himself for a comeback, though there have been no reporters of teams showing interest in him. Now 34 years old and five seasons removed from his last NFL game, Kaepernick’s days in the NFL are almost certainly over. A quarterback-needy team could give him a workout as a backup, though even that seems unlikely.

ESPN’s Brady Henderson said it’s the latest sign Kaepernick won’t land in Seattle this offseason following workouts with Tyler Lockett near the Seahawks stadium. Blackballed by the NFL after 2016 protests against police violence, it appears Kaepernick, 34, won’t get a chance to play for the QB-needy Seahawks in 2022.

Kaepernick, who had a workout session with Lockett last week, was seen Wednesday training at the University of Washington’s indoor football field, near the Seahawks stadium. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said in 2020 that he had wanted to sign Kaepernick in 2017, after he had been blackballed by the league for protests against racial injustice and police violence. Carroll confirmed last week that Kaepernick reached out to the Seahawks and that the QB deserves “a second chance.” This much smoke usually leads to fire, and with the Seahawks lacking a viable starting quarterback after dealing Russell Wilson to Denver, giving Kaepernick a chance to compete under center would make sense for all parties involved. Whether Kaepernick, 34, still has the athleticism that made him a dangerous dual threat quarterback in the 2010s is another question entirely.

Carroll said that Kaepernick deserves a “second chance” but did not make it sound like it will be happening in Seattle. He then went on a lengthy soliloquy about the nature of second chances. Now out of the league for longer than he was in it, Kaepernick has been working out with Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks have a truly dreadful quarterback situation, but it is doubtful they will be taking a shot on a 34-year-old who has not taken an NFL snap since 2016.