In March, Colin Kaepernick renewed his efforts to return to the NFL, saying in the time since that he feels he can still help an NFL team win games. The Las Vegas Raiders are going to put that to the test.
According to Adam Schefter, the Raiders have scheduled a workout for the social justice activist who hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016.
Colin Kaepernick, who last played football in 2016, the same year he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice, is scheduled to work out this week for the Las Vegas Raiders, league sources told ESPN.
More on NFL Live now. pic.twitter.com/zAuWybhILx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 25, 2022
According to Ian Rapoport, the workout is happening today, Wednesday.
The #Raiders are actually working out FA QB Colin Kaepernick today, source said. His first workout in years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 25, 2022
Last month, Raiders owner Mark Davis said he supported Kaepernick’s return to the NFL and would welcome him to the Raiders organization.
“I believe in Colin Kaepernick,” Davis said at the time. “And he deserves every chance in the world to become a quarterback in the National Football League. I still stand by it. If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him to be the quarterback on this team, I would welcome him with open arms. I think Colin is a very misunderstood human being.”
It looks like Davis is putting his money where his mouth is, though it’s one thing to invite Kaepernick for a workout and another thing to actually sign him.
It was long assumed that if any NFL team was going to take a flyer on Kaepernick it would be the Seattle Seahawks. However, head coach Pete Carroll wouldn’t commit to any further conversations following an initial discussion.
The Raiders likely aren’t looking for Colin to come in and compete for a starting position as Derek Carr just signed a massive contract extension. However, a player of his caliber could make a lot of sense on the depth chart, especially if he still has the talent that helped him lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl.
Plenty of reactions to come from around the NFL world, but for now, it looks like Colin Kaepernick is getting his wish.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.