ESPN Writer Hypes Colin Kaepernick For NFL Return – It Immediately Blows Up

As the NFL ramps up for the 2022 season, there are some quarterback openings – the Seahawks, Bucs, Saints, Colts, Texans & potentially the Cardinals all need a starter. Which also means it’s time to cue the shameless hyping of Colin Kaepernick yet again for his long-awaited NFL return. Kicking things off, senior ESPN writer Mina Kimes thinks the Seahawks should at least look at Colin Kaepernick.

To her credit, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll has previously expressed interest in signing Kaepernick. 

Plus reports from Kaep and his circle say he’s in the best shape of his life, working out five days a week. Kaep even posted a video to prove it.

So is Colin Kaepernick worthy of an NFL roster spot? And, perhaps more importantly, does he even want it?

Related: Fox Sports Host Clay Travis: Colin Kaepernick’s ‘Problems Exceed His Talent’ And He’s ‘No Victim’ 

Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Performance Far From Elite

If you go by the stats, Colin Kaepernick was not a starting-caliber quarterback when he last played in 2016. After solid seasons from 2012-14, Kaepernick suffered several injuries during 2015-16 which lost him the starting San Francisco 49ers quarterback job to Blaine Gabbert. 

Shoulder problems continued to nag Kaepernick and hampered his comeback. Later in 2016, Kaepernick again lost the starting job to Gabbert, and the 49ers struggled as the team switched between the two.

Contrary to what many people say, Kaepernick was not cut from the 49ers. He wanted to be a free agent and exercised his option before the 2017 season. 

I’m not sure what Kimes was specifically referring to when she mentions Gabbert and misinformation – but it is within reason to point out that Colin Kaepernick had to compete with Blaine Gabbert for a starting job six years ago. Gabbert is still in the league, serving as a backup for the Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl with the team. 

Of course Kimes’ comment seemed to only encourage a barrage of Gabbert related and other hot takes:

He’s Had Other Opportunities To Play

It is not accurate to say that Kaep has not had offers to play in the NFL. The Broncos offered him a contract in 2016. 

Kaepernick reportedly turned it down because they didn’t offer him enough money.

The same thing happened with the fledgling XFL and AAFL leagues, where Colin Kaepernick asked for a staggering $20 million a year, which was 100x more than what quarterbacks in either league were making.

Related: Colin Kaepernick Suffers Further Humiliation: He Was ‘Never Really Considered’ For XFL 

Does Colin Kaepernick Even Want To Play In The NFL?

Sure, Colin Kaepernick may be in great shape, but the reality is that he hasn’t played in in the NFL for five seasons. There is no shortage of good, seasoned quarterbacks in the league. Add that to the baggage and media scrutiny he would bring, and it doesn’t seem worth it to me. Especially if he asks for the type of money he asked for in 2017.

Again, he was a struggling, injury-plagued backup on a bad team, and he’s five years gone from the league.

In my opinion, Kaepernick could have stayed in the league, but this is a guy who perpetually gets in his own way.

His “workouts” are little more than publicity stunts. And the “poor me” attitude doesn’t work when he signs million-dollar deals with Nike and is making shows on Netflix where he makes spurious comparisons to the NFL draft and the slave trade. His social media hardly mentions his NFL career 

He doesn’t need the money or the fame. Perhaps Kaepernick wants to prove his detractors wrong with one last run? 

Give him a shot? Sure, let him come to training camp and compete for a spot on the roster.

But the guy has more money as a “blackballed” player than he ever did or would have as an NFL quarterback. He built his brand on being “left out.” If he were to sign with the NFL and fail to make a team, that will only detract from his brand platform.

Is Colin Kaepernick willing to risk his media and endorsement empire on an NFL return that potentially flops? I guess we’ll find out.

Do you think we’ll see Kaep return to the NFL in our lifetime? Share this story along with your Seahawks pick.

Related: Tom Brady Allegedly Saying He’s Staying In Shape In Case He Wants To Make NFL Comeback