There’s renewed interest in former Super Bowl quarterback Colin Kaepernick now that the NFL’s national anthem protests have taken center stage once again.
This includes the increasing possibility that Kaepernick could return to the NFL after being blackballed from the league following the 2016 season.
If that is indeed the case, here’s a look at the six teams who make the most sense for the former Super Bowl signal caller.
Buffalo Bills
As of right now, Buffalo has veteran journeyman Matt Barkley and rookie Jake Fromm set to back up Josh Allen. To say that head coach Sean McDermott and Co. could use an upgrade at the No. 2 spot would be a dramatic understatement.
Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has some experience working with mobile quarterbacks dating back to his one season with Alabama. Allen has proven his worth in that area over his first two NFL seasons, too. In terms of the politics of it all, public sentiment in Western New York has turned in favor of the protesters after multiple police officers were arrested for shoving a 75-year-old man to the ground earlier in the month. With Kaepernick, it’s impossible to ignore that aspect of the situation.
Minnesota Vikings
Speaking of the political situation, what better way for the Vikings to show they fully support the Black Lives Matter movement than by signing a man that has helped bring it to the forefront? The current situation in the Twin Cities following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a then-Minneapolis police officer on May 25 could play a role here, too.
From an on-field perspective, there’s legitimately no reason why Sean Mannion remains in the league. He’s currently the top backup to Kirk Cousins in Minnesota. Should Cousins go down to injury, the Vikings would be in a world of hurt. Kaepernick is a major upgrade in this regard. It just makes too much sense.
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll indicated recently that he regrets not signing Colin Kaepernick back in 2018. There was a ton of drama between the two sides after reports surfaced that Seattle had canceled a meeting because Kaepernick refused to end his national anthem protests. Carroll strongly denies that.
Interestingly enough, Seattle is a perfect fit for Kaepernick. Geno Smith is currently Russell Wilson’s primary backup. He’s considered one of the biggest early-round busts in NFL history. Should Wilson go down, Seattle would join Minnesota in being in a world of hurt. Meanwhile, the Emerald City is among the most progressive in the United States. That’s evidenced by the widespread Black Lives Matter protests still taking place in the city.
Baltimore Ravens
Specifically, Kaepernick makes perfect sense for Baltimore from an on-field perspective. His game is very much like what we have seen from reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. In fact, Jackson is almost a carbon copy of the former Super Bowl quarterback.
Baltimore has kicked the tires on trading Robert Griffin III. Kaepernick is an upgrade over the former No. 2 pick. Meanwhile, the city of Baltimore has been at the forefront of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police officers back in 2015.
San Francisco 49ers
Wouldn’t this be a nice little turnabout? San Francisco has received criticism for its decision to move on from Kaepernick following the 2016 season. It’s a little-known fact in the mainstream that the 49ers were going to release the quarterback if he did not opt out of his contract. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, months removed from being hired by the 49ers, wanted their own quarterback.
Years later, and things have changed considerably. Jimmy Garoppolo just led San Francisco to its first Super Bowl appearance since the Kaepernick days. His backups in that of Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard remain largely unproven. Meanwhile, there’s no reason to believe that Kaepernick can’t excel in Shanahan’s system. Why not make this move?
New England Patriots
Wouldn’t this be hilarious? President Donald Trump’s bestie in that of Robert Kraft going away from the grain and signing Kaepernick. So many storylines. Though, it must be noted that Kraft’s relationship with Trump is personal in nature and does not include him agreeing on the president’s policies. In fact, Kraft has in the past contributed to former President Barack Obama’s presidential bids. Most of his political donations have been to candidates left of the aisle.
On the field, this might actually be the best fit of the six. Tom Brady has moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. He’ll be replaced by former mid-round pick Jarrett Stidham under center. Former 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer is set to back Stidham up. In reality, Kaepernick is a massive upgrade over the two. Let’s make it happen.