Colin Kaepernick writes letter to Jets asking for role on practice squad
With Aaron Rodgers out for the year and Zach Wilson struggling badly, the New York Jets have a massive quarterback problem.
NFL Hall of Famer Ty Law already suggested that the Jets should give Colin Kaepernick an opportunity, and it was revealed on Tuesday that Kaepernick has actually written a letter to the Jets asking to get an opportunity on the team's practice squad.
The letter was released on social media on Tuesday by rapper J. Cole (with Kaepernick's permission).
That news came to light just after the Jets chose to sign another veteran quarterback, Trevor Siemian, to their practice squad instead of Kaepernick.
In his letter Kaepernick pointed out that unlike some other veteran quarterbacks who have received attention for a roster spot, he has not actually retired and is still working out in the hopes of getting an opportunity.
What was perhaps most interesting about his pitch to the Jets is that he was not looking for an immediate spot on the active roster. He was simply asking for a spot on the practice squad, a role that would, in his view, accomplish two goals. First, it would give the Jets defense an opportunity to work against a mobile quarterback who could model some of the top dual-threat passers in the league. It would also give the Jets coaching staff and front office an opportunity to assess where Kaepernick's football skills are without putting extra pressure on Wilson as he attempts to regain his confidence.
The 35-year-old Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season when he became a lightning rod for criticism for his decision to kneel during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racism in the United States.
Despite countless teams needing quarterback help over the seven seasons since then, and Kaepernick's commitment to continuing to try to regain a spot in the NFL, nobody has given him an opportunity.
Kaepernick's proposal to the Jets actually seemed like a pretty good idea for everybody involved, but it was clear the Jets did not agree. At this point, it just seems like nobody is actually going to go through with actually signing him and giving him another shot, because if this Jets team, with that quarterback situation, is not even willing to give him that sort of look it seems, like a stretch to imagine anybody would.
Between 2011 and 2016 Kaepernick completed 59.8 percent of his passes and threw 72 touchdown passes to only 30 interceptions. He was also one of the best running quarterbacks in football. His ability to make plays with his feet and protect the football helped him play a major role on a 49ers team that reached the Super Bowl.
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