Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is still trying to make his way back into the league, even though he likened it to the slave trade, and hasn’t officially thrown a football in a jersey and pads since 2017.
When the New York Jets lost Aaron Rodgers four snaps into their season, rumors almost immediately started swirling that they would try and bring in a veteran quarterback to replace him.
The team has since stated that they trust their backup QB Zach Wilson, but he hasn’t shown much out on the field to keep that spot locked up.
It was reported the week following Rodgers’ season-ending injury that Colin Kaepernick had reached out to the Jets to express interest in playing for them and being that “veteran” they were looking for, but nothing ever came from it.
Now, it appears that the 35-year-old quarterback is willing to settle, and wrote a letter (that was for some reason released by rapper J. Cole) to the New York organization that he would be willing to lead their practice squad.
In the letter, Kaepernick stated:
“I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers.
I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track.
As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me…
I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad… I believe this allows for multiple things.
1. It gives your Defense the advantage of getting a truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face in weeks 4, 5, and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, and Hurts).
2. This would also allow you guys as an organization to take a real look at where I’m at football wise, in game-like situations against an elite defense, while also not putting any competitive pressure on Zach.”
The idea doesn’t seem all that bad, though it would be interesting to see how Kaepernick has maintained his skills while he’s been out of the league for almost seven years (with many believing he was “blackballed” for his political stances and kneeling to protest police brutality).
He goes on to say towards the end of the letter:
“I would love to offer you a risk-free contingency plan…
Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and you’re not that impressed. Best case scenario, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal in the event you ever need to use it.”
Kaepernick then points towards some high-level references that would be willing to back him up and talk to the Jets if they had any questions, which included Jim Harbaugh (Michigan Head Coach), Chip Kelly (UCLA Head Coach), John Harbaugh (Baltimore Ravens Head Coach), and Mark Davis (Las Vegas Raiders Owner).
Although, the Raiders and Ravens haven’t signed him either…
Only time will tell if the Jets decide to respond to Colin’s open letter to them, though their most recent move doesn’t appear to help Kaepernick’s cause.
“Gang Green” decided to add veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to their QB room, as long as he passes a physical.
As you can see in the post below, the decision has been met with a muted/sarcastic/non-existent enthusiasm.
I don’t know what is going to happen with the Jets for the rest of the year, but I just wish they could take them off of some of their prime-time slots for the remainder of the season.
None of us are interested in watching an Aaron Rodgers-less Jets team…
