Colin Kaepernick is eyeing a sensational return to the NFL and the former 49ers quarterback has reached out to the New York Jets over replacing Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers’ long-awaited debut for the Jets lasted just four snaps before he tore his Achilles tendon, ruling the 39-year-old out for the entire season.
Now, according to Jordan Schultz, Kaepernick’s agent has made contact with the Jets, outlining the 35-year-old’s desire to come back.
Kaepernick has been without a team since 2016, when he ignited a nationwide free speech debate by protesting racist police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem before games.
Kaepernick was later benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert in 2015 before ultimately reclaiming the starting job in 2016, but 49ers went just 1-10 with him under center.
Colin Kaepernick’s agent has reached out to the New York Jets over replacing Aaron Rodgers
He opted out of his contact in anticipation of his release in March of 2017 and has gone unsigned since.
Later that year, he sued the NFL, accusing team owners of colluding to keep him out of the league due to his protests during the national anthem.
In 2019, Kaepernick settled the grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount after accusing owners of blackballing him in retaliation for the controversial protests.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell admitted in June of 2021 that the league should have listened to players’ concerns about racism sooner, adding that he encouraged teams to sign the former 49ers star.
The league did orchestrate a tryout for Kaepernick in 2019, but that was scuttled after he took issue with the liability waiver the NFL asked him to sign.
In June 2022, he had a tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders with the workout being his first meeting with a team since reportedly speaking with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017.
But, despite the workout being described as ‘positive,’ nothing came of the meeting.
The Los Angeles Chargers were keeping tabs on Kaepernick in 2020, according to then-coach Anthony Lynn, who described the embattled quarterback as a good ‘fit’ for his offense.
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