In a letter shared on social media by musician J. Cole, Kaepernick reached out to (New York Jets GM Joe) Douglas last week, explaining why he hoped the organization would give him a chance with the practice squad.
Kaepernick, 35, explained that he would help give the defense an added advantage in preparing for the Week 4, 5 and 6 matchups, while also give the Jets a chance to evaluate him without pressuring Zach Wilson.
“I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad,” Kaepernick wrote. “I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week. If I were able to fill this role, I believe this allows for multiple things.”
It is no secret that the Jets have struggled with Wilson as the No. 1 quarterback since Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into Week 1.
J. Cole has released Colin Kaepernick's letter to the Jets requesting to join their practice squad 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Kjn3af3u9G
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 26, 2023
Let's toss aside all the sentiments why some people are so vehement that Kaepernick be given an opportunity to catch on with an NFL team. The fact is it's laughable that any 35-year old NFL quarterback who hasn't taken a snap in a live game in more than six years would be considered to be brought in for any meaningful role. Now, you can argue that Kaepernick not having played in that long was due more to his activism as opposed to a decline in skills, and I wouldn't totally disagree. But that doesn't change the fact the lack of NFL game action would be a detriment to whatever he looks to accomplish on the field.
Kaepernick ended his letter by citing four references the Jets' brass could contact in the event they chose to vet him further. Two references named stood out to me: Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. Huh. If only those two gentlemen had any authority or influence with their respective teams so as to sign Kaepernick to their practice squad. I mean, both clubs have had injury issues at the QB position in the not too recent past (heck, Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was in concussion protocol until Thursday afternoon). Seems to me the Raiders or Ravens bringing on Kaepernick in some capacity would, if nothing else, show the rest of the league what they're missing out on.
Isn't amazing how so many NFL team officials say Kaepernick, at minimum, deserves to be brought in for a workout yet not of those same officials in positions of authority are willing to bring him on to their squads? It's almost as if they'd rather signal their virtue as opposed to taking a principled stance.
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