5 NFL teams Colin Kaeperick could start for in 2020
As momentum seems to be building for a team to sign him, here are five teams Colin Kaepernick could start for this year.
Colin Kaepernick has not played in an NFL game since Jan. 1, 2017. The ordeal over his kneeling for the national anthem, the idea he’s too good to be a backup and a poorly handled workout have all helped keep him out of the league.
Now, as what Kaepernick was protesting has come to greater light, there seems to be some momentum toward an NFL team giving him an opportunity. What that opportunity might entail, from a simple chance to workout or earn a roster spot to a chance to compete for a starting job is unclear, and dependent on a team’s situation. But he has apparently continued working out in preparation for whatever might come his way.
Kaepernick is now 32 years old, and presumably pretty fresh physically after three seasons out. Injuries that required surgery after the 2015 season, and three 49ers’ head coaches in as many years from 2014-2016 (Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly) were not helpful to his situation. If a team can get a look at him, there probably aren’t 64 quarterbacks (two for each team) that are dramatically better than he is even after the time he’s been out.
What Kaepernick’s future as a football player holds is up in the air. But he could start for these five NFL teams this year if he got the chance.
5 NFL teams Colin Kaepernick Could Start For In 2020
5. Carolina Panthers
Entering a new era with Matt Rhule as the head coach, the Panthers are in line to be bad this year. The offense looks promising, with how much you believe in Teddy Bridgewater as a tipping point, and the defense assures points will have to scored.
Bridgewater signed a three-year deal with Carolina this offseason. But he has not played enough since a career-altering knee injury late in the 2016 season to assure anything, and intangibles only go so far if he simply can’t play at anything above a mediocre level.
Carolina has Will Grier and P.J. Walker behind Bridgewater. It’s fair to consider Kaepernick an upgrade to that depth. And if Bridgewater falters or gets injured, piling up losses would at least come with added interest.