As the 2017 NFL season approaches, there’s still a lingering question in (almost) every fan’s mind. Why in the world is no one signing Colin Kaepernick?! The NFL is adamant that he is not being “black-balled” but it’s getting harder to believe that. Many are of the opinion that Kaepernick just isn’t good enough to risk the distraction but he’s better than most quarterbacks who currently have jobs.
The Case For Signing Colin Kaepernick
There are only two teams who just absolutely don’t need Kaepernick: The Falcons and the Patriots. Literally every other team could use him as a backup, at least. Take Seattle for instance, after backup Trevone Boykin was arrested. Oakland could definitely use a better backup because Connor Cook was terrible after Derek Carr got injured. There are 18 teams that could use the services of Kaepernick as a backup quarterback. The real head scratcher here is that there are 12 teams that Kaepernick could be a starting quarterback for in 2017. Somehow, he’s still a free agent, though.
NFL Teams Kaepernick Can Start For
Baltimore Ravens
If it weren’t for Joe Flacco‘s recent back injury, Baltimore would be an ideal backup situation. Since the Ravens aren’t sure how long Flacco is going to miss, however, this is a perfect spot for Kaepernick to start. Even if it’s only for three or four games, Ryan Mallett has been unimpressive, to say the least. Between Dustin Vaughan and Josh Woodrum one will make the practice squad and the other will likely be cut before the season. Kaepernick can come in and win while Flacco is out and can be a good backup when Flacco returns.
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has Tyrod Taylor and he’s been impressive at times. The team, for whatever reason, was looking to trade Taylor earlier this year. T.J. Yates was a decent backup in Houston but didn’t impress anyone in Atlanta. Nathan Peterman could end up being the quarterback of the future but, for now, he’s not NFL ready. If Buffalo is wanting a replacement for Taylor, Kaepernick is the right choice. If not, Kaepernick is still a better option to backup Taylor.
Chicago Bears
Chicago has been an ongoing joke since the release of Jay Cutler. The Bears decided to sign Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez to replace Cutler prior to the Draft. Then, for whatever reason, traded four picks to move up one spot and draft Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky received a lot of hype heading into the draft but he has very little experience. Connor Shaw will likely be cut, again. The quarterback situation in Chicago is just a mess. The Bears could really use Kaepernick to come in and help them win while Trubisky develops.
Cleveland Browns
This is kind of a border-line starting opportunity for Kaepernick. Cody Kessler looks like he could be a decent quarterback but his health is a concern. Brock Osweiler is the backup and we all saw how he did in Houston last season. Even if Kaepernick didn’t start in Cleveland, he’d be a much better option as a backup than Osweiler. Kevin Hogan was impressive last season replacing Kessler but he will likely end up on the practice squad. DeShone Kizer could end up being the future of the Browns but, for now he’s not ready.
Denver Broncos
To be fair, Peyton Manning left some pretty big shoes to fill but Trevor Siemian didn’t come close. Paxton Lynch looked decent replacing an injured Siemian but is still listed as the backup. Kyle Sloter will either end up being cut or signed to the practice squad. Kaepernick would be a much better option to come in and help the Broncos win while Chad Kelly develops.
Houston Texans
Houston seems to have gone after their franchise quarterback after trading up 13 spots to select Deshaun Watson. Watson was highly regarded as the most NFL ready quarterback in the draft but Bill O’Brien still has him as the backup. Tom Savage isn’t a bad quarterback but he can’t stay healthy and Brandon Weeden is basically filling a roster spot. If O’Brien is wanting to sit Watson for his rookie year, Kaepernick would be a much better option to help the Texans win in 2017.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s be honest, the Blake Bortles experiment hasn’t gone well for the Jaguars. It’s time to move on. Bortles seemed to get better in 2015 only to regress in 2016. So who’s the replacement, Chad Henne? Henne had a shot at starting in Miami and it didn’t go so well. Brandon Allen looked great at Arkansas but he’s not ready to lead the Jaguars just yet. Kaepernick can come in and compliment rookie running back Leonard Fournette and help the Jaguars win in 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs traded three picks to move up and select Patrick Mahomes in the Draft. This was a sure sign that, like many of the fans, the team has grown tired of Alex Smith‘s mediocrity. Tyler Bray has suffered through injuries the last two seasons and will likely be cut. Joel Stave will also probably not make the team or get signed to the practice squad. So, while Mahomes sits and develops this season, who better to replace Smith than Kaepernick? He’s already done it before and had some success with it.
Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff didn’t seem ready to take over an NFL team last season. Sean Mannion was originally the backup to Case Keenum but he isn’t scaring any defenses either. Dan Orlovsky has been a career backup and is nearing the end of his career. Kaepernick just makes sense here. He can come in and compliment Todd Gurley and help the Rams compete in the NFC West while offensive coordinator Matt LeFleur develops Goff.
Miami Dolphins
When Ryan Tannehill injured his knee last season, Matt Moore stepped in. Moore is a decent backup but not a very good starter. This season, after Tannehill re-injured his knee in training camp, Miami had a chance to bring Kaepernick in. Instead, the Dolphins brought Jay Cutler out of retirement to throw interceptions for them.
New York Jets
The Jets are another team that are just a mess at quarterback. Josh McCown is a glorified backup that even the Browns didn’t want. Bryce Petty likes to throw to the other team too much and the Jets won’t pull the trigger on the Christian Hackenberg experiment for some reason. Kaepernick could actually be a good long-term quarterback for the Jets.
San Francisco 49ers
Why not bring Kaepernick back home. Brian Hoyer is another glorified backup quarterback that Kyle Shanahan currently has as his starter. Matt Barkley can’t read an NFL defense and Nick Mullens isn’t going to make the roster. C.J. Beathard could end up being the future for the 49ers but he’s not ready yet. Kaepernick could come into a familiar organization and help San Francisco compete in the NFC West while Shanahan develops Beathard.
