Seven years after his final NFL begin, Colin Kaepernick believes he can nonetheless assist a crew in want of a quarterback — even when it means taking part in on the apply squad.
The previous San Francisco 49ers signal-caller who was controversially eradicated from the league wrote a letter to the New York Jets final week asking for an opportunity to play quarterback for them, however with a twist.
As a substitute of pushing for a beginning quarterback job for the Jets with the crew struggling within the aftermath Season-ending injury to star Aaron RodgersKaepernick requested an opportunity to be a apply squad quarterback.
Observe squad gamers aren’t a part of the crew’s 53-man beginning roster. They largely act as a scout crew in apply, mimicking schemes run by incoming opponents to organize gamers for the sport’s predominant roster. A participant have to be listed on a crew’s 53-man roster so as to play in an NFL recreation.
Kaepernick, 35, wrote to Jets normal supervisor Joe Douglas within the letter, which was shared on Instagram By his good friend, rapper J. Cole, on September 26. Kaepernick’s representatives confirmed to TODAY that he wrote the letter Cole shared.
“I might be honored and very grateful for the chance to return on board and lead the teaching employees,” Kaepernick wrote. I’ll do that for the only real objective of making ready your protection each week.
Kaepernick wrote that he would method the job “with dedication and keenness as if it have been the QB1 place.”
Rodgers lasted simply 4 video games within the season opener earlier than tearing his Achilles tendon on a sort out, abruptly ending his first season with the Jets after 18 seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
Kaepernick’s message comes as Rodgers’ alternative, Zach Wilson, has struggled mightily in two straight losses for the Jets. The third-year quarterback and former No. 2 draft decide ranks final within the league with a 57.0 passer ranking this season.
“I perceive the significance of sustaining his confidence and focus on the QB1 place, and I solely sit up for enhancing that confidence in any interactions we might have if given this function throughout the crew,” Kaepernick mentioned of Wilson in his letter.
Kaepernick, who took his final NFL snap in 2016, added that for the previous six years he has educated three hours a day Monday by way of Friday to remain in form for any potential taking part in alternatives.
He has tried to return to the league in recent times, together with reviews Workout with the Las Vegas Raiders Final 12 months, no crew signed him.
“Worst case state of affairs, you see what I’ve to give you, and you do not prefer it,” he wrote. “In the very best case state of affairs, you will have an actual weapon at your disposal in case it’s essential use it. In both of these situations, I shall be dedicated to making ready your protection week in and week out, all season lengthy, and I’ll put on that duty like a badge of honor.”
Kaepernick performed for the 49ers from 2011-16, main them to a Tremendous Bowl look within the 2012 season and a visit to the NFC Championship recreation the next season.
In 2016, he started kneeling in the course of the nationwide anthem to protest police brutality and systemic racism, changing into a nationwide lightning rod for a politically divided nation. He was a free agent after the season and was not signed by one other NFL crew, ending his profession.
In 2017, it’s He filed a complaint against the NFL Alleging that groups colluded in not signing him to a contract, possible due to his resolution to kneel in the course of the nationwide anthem. Kaepernick settled the collusion case in 2019.
The Jets haven’t issued a public response to Kaepernick’s letter. They at the moment have three quarterbacks on their roster. The crew signed free agent Trevor Siemian to the apply squad on September 26, and in addition has backup Tim Boyle behind Wilson. Siemian beforehand had a stint with the Jets in 2019.