The league has a quarterback problem
The league has a quarterback problem — namely that there aren’t 32 capable enough quarterbacks for all 32 franchises to be competitive — with Colin Kaepernick being a far better option for numerous teams than the signal callers they currently have on their roster.
Here are 10 teams that Kaepernick would improve, both in terms of on-field performance and media interest.
Washington Redskins
It has been a case of “next man up” for the Redskins the past couple of weeks as the injury bug continues to bite at the quarterback position.
Alex Smith was the first to go down with a Joe Theismann style leg break that could signal the end of his career. This was followed just a week later by Colt McCoy suffering a broken right fibula against the Philadelphia Eagles. With Mark “butt fumble” Sanchez as the new starter by default, the ‘Skins picked up Josh Johnson to fill out their depth chart. Simply put, Kaepernick is a better player than Johnson or Sanchez and would upgrade the position immediately.
New England Patriots
If there is any coach/franchise combination in the league that can get the best out of a player tossed to the scrapheap then it is Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Randy Moss was on his way out of the league with a whimper when the Pats picked him up in 2007. That season he set an NFL record with 23 receiving touchdowns. While Kap would not replace Tom Brady, he has to be a more viable backup that Brian Hoyer. He would also be ideal for New England to use for trick plays.
Kansas City Chiefs
Colin Kaepernick is not Patrick Mahomes. He is, however, much more akin to the sensational Texas Tech product than current Chiefs backup Chad Henne, a player who has done basically nothing of note at any point during his entire NFL career.
The Chiefs can’t afford to lose Mahomes (especially with the Kareem Hunt situation already affecting team chemistry), but Andy Reid would be far better off with Kap’s skill set in the backfield than that of Henne.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ situation is much like that of the Chiefs. This is a bona fide Super Bowl contender with an outstanding young franchise quarterback. But there is a massive question mark sitting just behind him on the depth chart.
There is no doubt that Jared Goff has the ability to lead the Rams on a deep run in the playoffs, but the team is just one bad ankle twist from Goff away from trotting out Sean Mannion at the quarterback position. Kaepernick would be an immediate security blanket here.
Denver Broncos
This one is a little murky because if Broncos general manager John Elway is to be taken at his word then the Denver franchise is one of the few to actually hold extensive talks with Kap about a roster spot.
While the two parties were unable to reach an agreement last time they talked, it still feels like Denver could upgrade the quarterback position. Case Keenum is in a position where his merits are hotly debated even when he wins, suggesting he isn’t a long-term option at the position in the eyes of the fans.
Chicago Bears
Mitchell Trubisky has suddenly become a player that the Bears can’t do without. That became clear when backup Chase Daniel dinked and dunked his way to a win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, before going out and losing the next week (on extended rest) to the lowly New York Giants.
It was not a loss that would kill the Bears’ season, but if Daniel — a career backup — was forced into action in the playoffs then the Bears would be in trouble. Kap would immediately upgrade the position from a talent standpoint.
Cincinnati Bengals
If the Bengals’ permanent quarterback situation was a combination of Jeff Driskel or Tom Savage then Cincinnati would be much higher on this list. The Bengals, though, will get Andy Dalton back next season, a quarterback who is made to look more elite based on the two players trying to replace his production.
Head coach Marvin Lewis is fighting for his job as 2018 winds down. Wouldn’t Kaepernick be a better option to win a game or two down the stretch than either quarterback currently on the roster?
New York Giants
The Giants are the fourth-best team in the competitive, but ultimately very average, NFC East. While Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls with the Giants it feels like his time in New York is dragging to an end and that a change is needed to boost a team that has no direction.
Kaepernick would just be fun to watch in New York, both on the field passing to Odell Beckham and off the field as he deals with the spotlight of playing in the most important city in the world.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This one is pretty simple. The combination of Blake Bortles and Cody Kessler is the worst 1-2 punch at quarterback in the entire NFL. Much of this is down to Bortles, who was drafted above his ability in the first round of the 2014 draft and who has never improved beyond being a low tier starting quarterback.
The outstanding Jacksonville defense has been wasted in 2018 with this quarterback combination and Kaepernick would immediately invigorate a franchise and a fanbase that is far too used to losing.
San Francisco 49ers
There would be something epically poetic about Kap signing back with the team that first drafted him into the NFL in 2011. The 49ers remain the only team that the quarterback has ever played a down for, and you would have to imagine that if any city were to have the correct political climate for Kaepernick to assimilate back into the NFL then it would be San Francisco.
That the team has been terrible all year after losing Jimmy Garoppolo to an ACL tear in Week 3 only adds to why this would make sense.
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