Colin Kaepernick - Pro Football Rumors

Colin Kaepernick Files Collusion Lawsuit

October 15th, 2017 at 4:10pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick has filed a lawsuit that alleges collusion by the NFL’s owners to keep him out of the league, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report (all Twitter links). Kaepernick, who has hired high-profile attorney Mark Geragos, will release a statement on the lawsuit in the near future, per Freeman.

Kaepernick, of course, originated kneeling during the national anthem as a form of silent protest during the 2016 season, and has since been unable to land an NFL contract. While Kaepernick certainly doesn’t fit every offense in the league, it’s difficult to argue that his social activism hasn’t played at least some role in his failure to earn a roster spot.

As Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported last week, Kaepernick has been diligent about contacting clubs with potential vacancies at quarterback, but as of yet, no team has been willing to enter negotiations or even met with the former 49ers signal-caller aside from the Seahawks, who ultimately chose journeyman Austin Davis as their backup selection. Kaepernick reportedly reached out to the Titans following Marcus Mariota‘s recent injury, but Tennessee had no interest.

Kaerpernick’s lawsuit wasn’t filed in conjunction with the NFLPA, but the union will still support him in his legal battle, reports Mike Jones of USA Today (Twitter link). Still, proving collusion could prove tough, as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap explains (Twitter links) simply arguing Kaepernick is a better player that other quarterbacks who have landed contracts may not satisfy the contractual bargaining agreement’s “burden of proof.”

Colin Kaepernick Reached Out To Titans

October 8th, 2017 at 1:43pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his representatives contacted the Titans following an injury to signal-caller Marcus Mariota, but Tennessee expressed no interest in meeting with Kaepernick or working him out, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

Mariota is sidelined for today’s contest against the Dolphins, and could potentially miss more time as he deals with a hamstring issue. The Titans, however, are rolling with Matt Cassel as their starting quarterback for the time being, and signed veteran Brandon Weeden to serve as Cassel’s backup.

Kaepernick, meanwhile, has continued to work out and has been “diligent” about getting in touch with clubs who have witnessed quarterback injuries. However, no team has entered into contract negotiations or even been willing to meet with Kaepernick aside from the Seahawks, who visited with Kaepernick earlier this year.

While Kaepernick is clearly the best quarterback available on the open market, his social activism is thought to be responsible for his lack of work. But the former 49ers passer is apparently willing to audition for any team at any time, as La Canfora tweets.

Titans Did Not Consider Colin Kaepernick

October 4th, 2017 at 3:49pm CST by Zachary Links

With Marcus Mariota dealing with a hamstring injury, the Titans signed veteran quarterback Brandon Weeden. The move raised some eyebrows around the football world since Weeden is the latest middle-of-the-road signal caller to get an opportunity ahead of Colin Kaepernick. Apparently, Kaepernick wasn’t even considered.

Coach Mike Mularkey told reporters on Wednesday that he wasn’t aware of any conversations about signing Kaepernick (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe). The justification is in line with what we’ve heard before from other teams, both on and off the record. Kaepernick, he said, is not familiar with the Titans’ type of offense while Weeden offers familiarity with a similar system thanks to his time in Houston and Dallas.

Weeden auditioned alongside Matt Barkley, Matt McGloin, and T.J. Yates on Tuesday and turned in the best performance of the quartet. He has not appeared in a real NFL game since 2015.

The Raiders, who will be without Derek Carr for some time, also did not consider Kaepernick.

Mariota practiced for the Titans on Wednesday, but he was limited. He is considered day-to-day as the Titans prepare for their Week 5 contest against the Dolphins.

Raiders Not Considering Colin Kaepernick

October 2nd, 2017 at 9:06pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders will be without Derek Carr for a while, but they’re not about to go out-of-house to replace him. The Raiders have no plans to add a quarterback to their 53-man roster, a team source tells ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Meanwhile, another source tells his colleague Josina Anderson (Twitter link) that the team is “not yet” ready to consider Colin Kaepernick.

The Raiders will turn to former Bills starter E.J. Manuel as their No. 1 QB this Sunday and it only makes sense for them to give him a chance before looking at other options. NFL sophomore Connor Cook will serve as Manuel’s understudy, so even if he falters, the Raiders could theoretically still stand pat.

We’re now at the quarter mark of the season, but Kaepernick hasn’t had so much as an NFL nibble in weeks. Last week, we learned that Kaepernick (unsurprisingly) is not interested in the CFL.

Colin Kaepernick Not Interested In CFL

September 28th, 2017 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Colin Kaepernick‘s NFL career remains on hold, the former 49ers quarterback isn’t ready to try his luck in Canada. The Montreal Alouettes hold Kaepernick’s CFL rights and have reached out to him, but a union appears unlikely.

Kaepernick is not interested in playing in the CFL, Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reports. This confirms what’s long been speculated about a Kap-to-Canada path. The 29-year-old passer recently expressed his desire to return to the NFL, but the polarizing figure remains a free agent.

The only contact the Alouettes have made to Kaepernick’s camp is to inform his agent they hold his CFL rights. It doesn’t look like that’s going to matter much. The team remains interested, but it’s a one-way street.

“There’s been no conversation about Colin coming here,” Montreal GM Kavis Reed said. “It was just to let them know we had his rights and if there was anything they were interested in to get back to us. There’s been no call back from his agent.”

Montreal Als Reach Out To Colin Kaepernick

September 27th, 2017 at 2:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Colin Kaepernick is still without an NFL job as we head into October, but the team holding his rights in Canada has reached out to him him. Montreal Alouettes GM Kavis Reed says that he has spoken with Kaepernick’s agent, as Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette writes. However, the team has not invited Kaepernick to Montreal for a visit or workout yet.

“He’s in the midst of some very important things,” Reed said. “We understand there’s a movement going on around him. We’re doing our due diligence and making certain they know we want to see where he’s at. It’s a matter of kicking the tires at this stage. To me, he’s a very good player. Take all the movement stuff aside. He’s a young man that we feel has a very good football IQ. He has taken a team to a championship level. The talent’s there. As a GM, you have to look at the talent. It’s incumbent on us to explore it.”

Kaepernick only recently reaffirmed his desire to play in the NFL and there has been no indication that he would consider playing in the CFL at this time. There’s also not much time left in the CFL’s season, so the odds of him going north of the border this year aren’t great.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats once held Kaepernick’s negotiation rights, but they were recently transferred to the Als. The Ti-Cats still hold the rights to quarterbacks Johnny Manziel and Robert Griffin III, however.

Kaepernick will turn 30 on Nov. 3.

Photo via Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.

North Notes: Bengals, Bradford, Packers

September 17th, 2017 at 7:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

A “near mutiny” helped induce the Bengals to fire offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after two games. Although Andy Dalton‘s job is not believed to be in jeopardy as of now, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes the leash might not be especially long for the seventh-year starter. And some Cincinnati players might not all be on board with a simple A.J. McCarron succession strategy. While it would certainly be an off-the-board choice, Florio hears some Bengals players are expressing support for a Colin Kaepernick signing.

The UFA passer has been the NFL’s most discussed player this offseason despite not being affiliated with a team. McCarron’s been a Bengal since 2014 but has never threatened Dalton’s job security, only seeing relevant action after a Dalton injury in 2015. Kaepernick said recently he does want to return to the NFL, and has been training daily for a potential chance. Many players have publicly endorsed the 29-year-old quarterback receiving an opportunity. A Bengals route might be a stretch, though, considering McCarron’s status.

Dalton currently sits on a 55 percent completion percentage and a 0-to-4 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio. The Bengals have not scored a touchdown in two games and have posted just nine points.

Here’s the latest from the North divisions.

The Vikings played without Sam Bradford on Sunday, and the Case Keenum-led team lost to the Steelers. Bradford’s knee injury has him at day-to-day for the time being, but Florio hears the quarterback’s injured knee is “structurally fine.” Mike Zimmer used “fine” to describe Bradford’s status (Twitter link), even though the coach was vague in setting a return timetable. Any further game absences would signal the eighth-year signal-caller is, in fact, not fine.
Green Bay will be playing without both starting tackles tonight in Atlanta. Longtime Packers starters David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga will miss the Falcons tilt, the team announced. Bulaga missed last week’s game due to an ankle injury suffered during preseason play. A hamstring malady will shelve Bakhtiari. Kyle Murphy and Justin McCray will start, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. A fourth-year UDFA, McCray has yet to play in an NFL game.
The Bears will not deviate at quarterback despite Mike Glennon‘s struggles, John Fox said today. Fox shot down the idea Mitch Trubisky would start in Week 3 for the 0-2 team. Glennon threw two interceptions and lost a fumble in a blowout against his former team in Week 2.
The Ravens received the toughest blow of any North-division team Sunday, losing Marshal Yanda for the season.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

September 17th, 2017 at 2:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Colin Kaepernick has been criticized by some for not publicly stating his desire to play in the NFL. On Sunday, Kaepernick broke his silence and made his intentions clear.

“Yes,” Kaepernick said when asked by Shaun King of the Daily News (Twitter link) if he wants to play . “I’ve never stopped. I’m ready right now. Working out daily.”

Kaepernick is reportedly working out five days a week and is back to his 2013 weight of 230 pounds. This offseason, the 29-year-old was knocked for his slender frame and for not announcing that he wants to get back into football. He has now checked those boxes, but it’s not clear if or when he will get an opportunity to play. It’s possible that Kaepernick could get a call from a contending club in the event of an injury, but that would require him to learn someone’s playbook on the fly.

For now, it sounds like it’s NFL-or-bust for Kaepernick. But, if the NFL doesn’t come calling and he has a change of heart, he could have a place on the Montreal Alouettes.

Colin Kaepernick’s CFL Rights Go From One Team To Another

September 15th, 2017 at 3:12pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s not clear how or when this happened, but Colin Kaepernick‘s CFL rights have been transferred from one team to another. At one point, his rights were held by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Now, the Montreal Alouettes have dibs on him if he ever plays in the CFL, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (on Twitter).

La Canfora adds the rather obvious caveat of “not that he’s going,” but were the 29-year-old quarterback be interested in a CFL path, it appears Montreal would be his destination.

This news comes after La Canfora reported Johnny Manziel has a legitimate path to the Tiger-Cats. So it appears a Manziel-to-Hamilton route has formed, while a Kaepernick-to-Montreal path seems much less likely.

ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert reported in March the Tiger-Cats acquired Kaepernick’s rights, with both he and Robert Griffin III residing on the team’s exclusive negotiation list.

Kaepernick has been a free agent since he opted out of his 49ers contract; the team would have released him had he not done so. A visit with the Seahawks did not produce a contract, and not much has emerged on a Kaepernick NFL job since. Although, that subject’s produce plenty of ire, and protests, due to the number of less accomplished quarterbacks currently on teams’ rosters.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Kap, Savage, Browner, Johnson

September 13th, 2017 at 9:06pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick is working out five days a week and is back to his 2013 weight, 230 pounds, as he awaits a potential NFL opportunity, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. Thanks partially (perhaps entirely) to his social activism, Kaepernick hasn’t garnered a single offer since he and the 49ers parted ways in March. While the 29-year-old would like to resume his career, he’s not saying it publicly because he worries that doing so would lead to further claims that he’s a distraction, Florio suggests.