While mediocre quarterbacks have been flying all over the NFL wire this offseason, one quarterback noticeably not getting any calls or interviews has been Colin Kaepernick. Whether Kaepernick hasn’t been drawing interest because of his political stances, salary demands, or his likely desire to get a starting position might depend on what you choose to believe.
Regardless of what the reality is, Kaepernick’s offseason finally has some football activity, as the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback is working out with NFC West rival Seattle on Wednesday, his first audition for another team since NFL free agency opened in March.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Kaepernick is one of a handful of backup quarterback options being evaluated by the Seahawks.
#Seahawks are slated to work out reserve QBs soon & barring a change of plans, Colin Kaepernick is expected to be one of them, per sources.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 24, 2017
The #Seahawks visit with free agent QB Colin Kaepernick & at least 1 other is today, source said. He flew in last night from the East Coast.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 24, 2017
Where Kaepernick will end up signing has been one of the more significant stories in NFL free agency this offseason. After taking a stand by taking a knee during the national anthem last season, the 49ers moved on from Kaepernick under new head coach Kyle Shanahan and the interest around the league has been at a bare minimum. As the days and weeks have gone by and teams around the league have signed players like Matt McGloin and Blaine Gabbert to fill quarterback depth, Kaepernick has remained in NFL purgatory.
Ryan Fitzpatrick Who Has Thrown 32 Ints in Last 2 Years Signs With Bucs; Kaepernick Still Waiting For Call https://t.co/XlsMEyUklD pic.twitter.com/95AKaX7q71
— BlackSportsOnline (@BSO) May 19, 2017
I still find it funny how upset ppl are that Colin Kaepernick kneeled. Dude should be on a team for sure. EJ Manuel is still on a team ffs
— Tev (@TevsTweets) May 24, 2017
Just recently, Kaepernick’s girlfriend challenged a statement from Harry Edwards, a mentor of Kaepernick by saying no teams had contacted Kaepernick or his agent, as opposed to the interest from multiple teams suggested by Edwards in a newspaper interview. But as time has gone by, it was always likely at some point Kaepernick was going to get a chance to sign with some team.
Context on Kaepernick visiting Seahawks today. Seattle doing background on QBs, no move expected today, nothing imminent, standard visit.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 24, 2017
While the Seahawks working Kaepernick out is not an indication they will come to terms on a deal just yet, this is a step forward for Kaepernick to remain in the league. It just so happens that the Seahawks have always appeared to be the best possible fit for Kaepernick’s next stage of his career, as Brad Gagnon previously noted.
Seahawks GM John Schneider reached out to Colin Kaepernick's agent last Friday. Interest in him as potential backup is legit. @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) May 16, 2017
If Kaepernick were to sign with the Seahawks, he would be accepting a role as a backup behind Russell Wilson. Maybe Kaepernick wants to be a starter, but with teams settled in to their starting QB pictures for 2017 with returning options and the NFL Draft, the chance to start will have to wait.