The NFL’s free agency frenzy has kicked into high gear, but a name we’re not hearing very much is quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who recently opted out of his final year with the San Francisco 49ers.
Recently, Kaepernick made it known that he plans to stand for the National Anthem in 2017. His decision came about at the same time it was reported certain NFL teams said they would not pursue Kap if he continued to kneel.
Last year the quarterback had the support of many players who backed his stance. But Kaepernick’s actions seem to have soured many NFL executives, according to recent comments made at the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine.
“Some of these execs, reached during the combine, said they felt the same way about Kaepernick now. One called him ‘an embarrassment to football,'” according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.
Per Freeman, Kap was a major topic of discussion among player agents as well.
“Teams are trying to gauge if they would have a potential Kaepernick situation, the agent said.”
Surely teams in need of a quarterback are weighing their options, as Kaepernick is one of the more skilled quarterbacks that will be available during free agency. At the same time, those same teams apparently do not want the potential drama and backlash that will inevitably come along with signing such a controversial personality.
This is clearly evident in the case of the Chicago Bears, who are said to be signing the inexperienced Mike Glennon.
Meanwhile, the quarterback gaining the most news this week has been Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Romo. Romo is expected to be released on Thursday, when we can be sure his agent’s phone will be ringing off the hook with potential suitors.
The same cannot be said about Kaepernick as Thursday approaches. Kap made a bed last year that he may have to lie in it for quite some time.