This would be a disaster signing if they did it. The New York Jets should not even THINK about signing Colin Kaepernick to their practice squad…and its not for the obvious reason.
The Jets mind as well put on some clown shoes if they sign Kaepernick.
Despite having a loyal social media following, Colin Kaepernick should NOT BE SIGNED by the New York Jets, whether its to the practice squad or not, and it’s not because of the obvious reasons. It’s actual just a logical, obvious football decision not to.
Well, here’s the annual “Colin Kaepernick to X team without a starting QB” talks, though I think these ones are actually a little different given the circumstances behind them.
Okay, for those who have been living under a rock and haven’t heard the news, the Jets don’t have a capable starting quarterback with Aaron Rodgers tearing his achilles after just four snaps in their Week 1 matchup versus the Bills, and Zach Wilson has been a turnover, game-losing machine since stepping in. You know, how he was last season for New York.
And, whenever an NFL team doesn’t have their starting QB or even a capable backup, the online clamors for Colin Kaepernick’s return comes rearing their heads. Though, this time is actually a little different as these calls for Kaepernick to be given another chance at the NFL didn’t start with his loyal following, but it actually came from Kaepernick himself.
Yes, Kaepernick penned a letter to the Jets GM Joe Douglas, which was somehow leaked to the public by J. Cole (I wonder how he knew about it…not; this really does seem like a publicity attempt, but I hope I’m wrong and Kaepernick’s being genuine), and asked for a place on the Jets practice squad.
Now, I know a lot of people are going to say that Colin Kaepernick deserves another shot at the NFL as his status was wrongfully blacklisted by the NFL and the 32 owners. And that’s partially true as Kaepernick didn’t do anything against the NFL’s player code of conduct during his time with the 49ers (2011-16), though his very vocal stance on kneeling for the US flag and the subsequent callouts he’s had against the league (aka: likening the NFL Draft Combine to a slave auction) would justify teams not wanting to even be within 100 feet of the guy.
I mean, I support his right to say and stand for what he believes, but I also support the NFL’s decision to not employee him. Freedom of Speech does not mean freedom without consequences…and especially when you call your former employer a de facto slaver. It’s just basic logic.
But, nevertheless, there is really a far better reason (IMO) to not sign Colin Kaepernick if you’re the Jets: he’s was washed even when he was playing!
I really do think people have forgotten how Colin Kaepernick’s final few years went with the 49ers as it is true he took them to the Super Bowl in 2012 and the NFC championship game in 2013, which are sensational accomplishments worthy of a starting QB job in the NFL, but he was pretty dreadful during his last two seasons with the 49ers.
Sure, he had Chip Kelly as his coach (which would make almost everyone look bad), but he didn’t cover himself in glory as he only 1,165 passing yards, 6 passing TDs, 5 interceptions, a 59% completion percentage, just 144 completions (aka: 16/game averaged out), 45 rushing attempts, 254 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 5 fumbles, he had a record of 2-6, the 49ers went 5-11, and he only started 8 games of the 9 he played in.
Oh, and everyone of these stats, apart from the interceptions, fumbles, and winning records, would be career lows as a full-time starter.
Then, in 2016, he had a slightly better year (which really isn’t saying much) with 2,241 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, 4 interceptions, a 59.2% completion percentage, 196 completions (16.33/game if averaged out), 69 rushing attempts, 468 rushing yards, 2 TDs, and 9 fumbles, but the 49ers were awful as he went 1-10 as the starter in his 12 appearances, the team went 2-14, and the 49ers had their worst record with him as the majority starter since 1979.
That’s HORRIBLE!
So, along with Kaepernick being 35 years old, out of the league for the last 7 years, and being a very mobile-reliant QB that is now aged and rusty, I just don’t see how he fits in with the Jets or just the modern NFL in general.
Everyone has their time and place and its indicative on them to make the most of it. So, with Kaepernick already very publicly rejecting offers/workouts from the NFL in the past, him asking for a job after 7 years and being nearly 40 years old just wouldn’t make sense for any team to take a flyer on him. And especially not the Jets given their QB history.
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