Finally, NFL teams will get a chance to see what Colin Kaepernick (who turned 32 on November 3) has left in the tank.
The comeback trail for the ex-49ers quarterback begins Saturday in Atlanta:
NFL clubs were informed today that a private workout will be held for Colin Kaepernick on Saturday in Atlanta. Session will include on-field work and an interview. All clubs are invited to attend, and video of both the workout and interview will be made available to clubs.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2019
The NFL arranged this workout opportunity for Colin Kaepernick, and teams will have the opportunity to evaluate his readiness and level of interest in resuming his NFL career. His agents have said he wants to return to the NFL, and the league hopes this provides that chance.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2019
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports NFL teams have been invited to attend a private workout featuring Kaepernick on Saturday in Atlanta. The workout, which has been set up by the league itself, will feature on-field drills and an interview. And even though all teams have been invited to come on down and give it a look, video of the on-field activities and interview will be made available to the league’s 32 teams soon thereafter.
This is a sizable development, especially when you consider Kaepernick hasn’t thrown a pass since January 1, 2017.
Back in October, the San Jose Mercury News reported that Kaepernick’s representatives shared a document in which it is stated their client has not been offered an NFL contract since kneeling during the national anthem in an attempt to protest police violence. And even though Kaepernick’s representation had reached out to various organizations, the document detailed how they received “little to no response” about teams interested in signing the quarterback, who’s been a free agent since the 2017 NFL calendar year began. A month later, the NFL has put together an event to showcase Kaepernick as a free agent. Funny how that works.
Teams in need of solutions at the quarterback position (*AHEM* Bears?) should be doing their due diligence with regards to the Kaepernick workout. Because when you put aside an absence that is going on three years, Kaepernick’s ability to make splash plays with his strong arm and mobility should be enough to get him interest somewhere along the line. At a minimum, a 1.8 percent interception rate should intrigue teams who are in search of ball security from the quarterback position.
No one knows what Kaepernick will look like after being away from the game for three seasons. But at least we’ll get an answer as to if he can make his way back to league … and which (if any) teams could be interested.