Colin Kaepernick hasn’t played a competitive NFL game since 2017 when he made his last appearance for the San Francisco 49ers on New Year’s Day. However, the former quarterback seems to be eyeing a return to professional football.
According to the NFL Network, Kaepernick completed a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday. The report states that both head coach Josh McDaniels and Raiders’ general manager, Dave Ziegler, attended the workout.
What Would the Raiders Get?
Now 34, Kaepernick has been out of the game for five and a half years and hasn’t trained with any team before joining in the Raiders’ workout. Before he retired, Kaepernick was a social justice advocate that caused a lot of controversy with his on-field protests. That controversy was reported to have been the reason for his retirement.
However, with his reported move to the Raiders being very much on the cards, Kaepernick may not have made his last play in the NFL yet. But what would the Raiders get from a 34-year-old Quarterback who hasn’t been involved in an NFL game for close to six years?
Well, first of all, while he was still playing, some of Kaepernick’s numbers were quite impressive. For instance, only 1.77% of Kaepernick’s passes have ever been intercepted. That makes him the fifth-best passer in NFL history of players that have attempted a minimum of 1,500 career passes.
Also, in one playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick rushed for 181 yards. The 49ers won that game and Kaepernick’s 181 yards are still the most a quarterback has ever rushed for in a playoff match.
Hoping Someone Would Give Him a Shot
Kaepernick, who was the fourth pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft for the 49ers, has been quite busy this offseason. Many interpret this as his way of saying that he can still play at the top level.
Before the Raiders’ workout, Kaepernick served as the honorary captain at a spring game at the University of Michigan and had a throwing session that was broadcast on TV.
He also trained with Tyler Lockett, the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, and even asked Seattle head coach Pete Carroll to see if the Seahawks would be interested in his services.
After the Michigan spring game, Kaepernick was asked what he hoped would come out of the public workout. He said that he was hoping that an NFL team would give him “a shot.” He went on to say that he was looking for an opportunity to show people that he can still play even after five years of being out of the game.
Kaepernick added that he was grateful for the given opportunity and that if it would lead to a next step that would open up the NFL door for him, he would “run through it.”
The Raiders Already Have Four Quarterbacks
It is clear to see that Kaepernick is really looking to make a comeback. However, you wouldn’t describe the Raiders as a team that is in any real need of a quarterback.
Derek Carr has already signed a massive US$121.5 million extension that would keep him in Las Vegas for the next three years.
They also have three other quarterbacks on their roster – Nick Mullens, Jarrett Stidham, and Chase Garbers. So, if the Raiders would go for Kaepernick, it is only because they are looking to add some experience to the team.
