Colin Kaepernick is getting a legitimate workout with the Las Vegas Raiders. That could end up being the perfect landing spot if he signs.
For the first time since 2016, it appears we are getting closer and closer to Colin Kaepernick signing another NFL contract.
Kaepernick last played in 2016 for the San Francisco 49ers but has been out of the league ever since due to the league seemingly deciding to collectively blackball him over his activism and protesting throughout the 2016 season.
Earlier this offseason, Kaepernick had a workout at halftime of Michigan’s Spring game.
Colin Kaepernick’s final pass today today at Michigan’s Maize and Blue Spring Game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2022
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Las Vegas Raiders are giving Colin Kaepernick a shot
The New England Patriots have long had a very strong relationship with Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines program.
Why is that relevant?
Two people that were formerly very heavily involved with the New England Patriots — Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels — are now in charge of the Las Vegas Raiders.
That connection with the Michigan program could end up leading to a connection between Kaepernick and the Raiders in 2022.
Kaepernick is just 34 and because he hasn’t played in six years, his body doesn’t have nearly as much wear and tear as other guys his age.
There will undoubtedly be a lot of hot takes out there about whether or not Kaepernick is even good enough to be in the NFL, the same arguments that have been made the last handful of years.
Those arguments have always been ridiculous given the fact that no fewer than 64 quarterbacks are on active NFL rosters annually, and Kaepernick has 72 career passing touchdowns compared to just 30 interceptions.
On top of that, he’s got 13 career rushing touchdowns.
Although it was a different regime, the Raiders just let a stylistically similar quarterback out the door this offseason in Marcus Mariota. Perhaps McDaniels and Ziegler can see the value of a player like Kaepernick behind Derek Carr especially if they believe he can contribute in certain packages.
Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though. This is just a workout for the time being.
The Raiders’ current backup quarterback position is up for grabs. The team brought in Nick Mullens and Jarrett Stidham this offseason so nothing is solidified behind Derek Carr.
The Michigan-Patriot pipeline could remain strong with Harbaugh and the Raiders in this particular case. Ironically, the Raiders were the presumed landing spot for Harbaugh this offseason before he ultimately decided to pass on the NFL.
Maybe he planned on bringing Kaepernick with him, but instead is doing his best to campaign for him to get a job there anyway.