Colin Kaepernick

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

There are some within the 49ers organization that believe Colin Kaepernick may focus on social justice issues on a full-time basis rather than play football, Peter King of The MMQB writes. However, Dave Zirin of The Nation (on Twitter) has personally spoken to Kaepernick and the quarterback says that he is not moving on from football. He adds that the controversial QB is working out every day with the hope of landing a camp invite. Colin Kaepernick (vertical)

[RELATED: 49ers Release RB DuJuan Harris]

So far, there has been no real interest in Kaepernick’s services this offseason. If Kaepernick has not even received an offer for a non-guaranteed deal enabling him to compete in training camp, then one has to imagine that his polarizing politics are keeping him out of the NFL. On top of that, some teams are apparently concerned about his vegan diet and his commitment to football, It’s not clear if Kaepernick has managed to bulk up this offseason or if he’s even looking to add pounds to his thinned out frame.

In 2016, Kaepernick threw for 16 touchdowns against four interceptions. He also averaged 7.2 yards per passing attempt (up from 6.2 in 2015) and finished second among QBs in rushing yards (468, on a lofty 6.8 per carry).

Texans Still Not Open To Cutler, Kaepernick?

Even after learning Tony Romo has chosen retirement over Houston (or any other NFL club), the Texans don’t view Jay Cutler or Colin Kaepernick as “strong options” for their quarterback vacancy, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).Jay Cutler (vertical)

Cutler, for his part, doesn’t seem to be garnering interest anywhere, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says Cutler’s name “rarely, if ever, comes up” during discussions with head coaches and general managers regarding quarterback openings. Following the Jets’ recent signing of veteran Josh McCown, Rapoport indicated New York — unsurprisingly — was no longer an option for Cutler, and also signaled the Texans were similarly disinterested in the former Bears quarterback.

The possibility of a Cutler retirement is still on the table, per Rapoport, confirming a scenario that was first floated in February. While Cutler may wait for an injury to occur that would enable him land a starting job, he might simply be forced into hanging up his cleats. If no team reaches out with sincere interest, an involuntary retirement could be on the table.

Kaepernick, meanwhile, hasn’t been linked to any clubs as of yet, and his asking price may be a problem. While some reports have indicated Kaepernick is pushing for a starting gig and $9-10MM, that figure may not be entirely accurate. Still, some teams are apparently concerned about his vegan diet and his commitment to football, which — in addition to his recent play and political beliefs — could limit his market.

At present, the Texans have just two quarterbacks — Tom Savage and Brandon Weeden — on their roster. If they don’t bring in a veteran passer, they could look to draft a signal-caller either at pick No. 25 or on Day 2.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick is still without an NFL job and there is no sign of that changing in the immediate future. Apparently, teams are concerned about more than just his polarizing political views. Some teams are unsure about his commitment to football and are concerned about his vegan diet, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area tweets. NFL: San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers

[RELATED: Another Theory On The NFL’s Lack Of Kaepernick Interest]

As Albert Breer of The MMQB alluded to earlier this month, Kaepernick was under his usual playing weight last season due to his meatless diet. The quarterback weighed in around 218 pounds, down from his usual 235-240 range. As a result, Niners coaches felt they were limited in how they could use him. With less weight on his body, they felt that he could not absorb the big hits that come from designed QB runs. For what it’s worth, Maiocco (Twitter link) hears that Kaep is back to his pre-injury weight, which might mean that he’s at about 225 pounds.

One report from earlier this week indicated that Kaepernick is pushing for a chance to start and a salary of $9MM or more. Soon after, there was conflicting word on that front. Whatever the case may be, it’s hard to see Kaepernick getting starter consideration or money. So far this offseason, we have yet to hear of any NFL team with interest.

Extra Points: Kaepernick, 49ers, Bears

After talking with general managers at the league meetings, Tom Pelissero of USA Today doesn’t sense that free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s political beliefs have stopped him from landing a contract. The problem isn’t Kaepernick’s asking price, either; rather, it’s that he needs a specific type of offense to fit his style as a mobile signal-caller who has issues with accuracy and struggles when he has to stay in the pocket. Notably, the 49ers’ new head coach, Kyle Shanahan, indicated to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that they’re not bringing Kaepernick back because he’s not right for their scheme. “I think Colin has a certain skill set that you can put a specific offense to it that he can be very successful in,” said Shanahan. “When we first looked at it … that wasn’t necessarily the direction I wanted to go.”

More from around the NFL:

  • The Bears swung and missed in attempts to reel in high-profile free agents earlier this month, but chairman George McCaskey is hardly holding that against general manager Ryan Pace. “I’ve been very impressed with [Pace] as a leader, as an evaluator of talent,” McCaskey told John Mullin of CSN Chicago. “And one of the things I’ve been most impressed by with him is the discipline he’s shown just as recently as this free agency period. He didn’t want to overpay guys. Too often, I think, you overpay guys who don’t come through for you and then you have a big hole in your salary cap and you’re behind the 8-ball. So I like the discipline he has shown, the restraint he has shown in free agency.”
  • North Carolina State safety Josh Jones visited the Ravens on Thursday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Jones ranks 48th on the board of Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, so he could be a candidate for Baltimore’s second-round pick (No. 47).
  • “Most signs point to” the Redskins retaining safety DeAngelo Hall on a reworked contract, writes JP Finlay of CSN Mid-Atlantic. The 33-year-old is slated to take up over $5MM in cap space next season, though the Redskins would save most of that ($4.25MM) by releasing him. Hall hasn’t stayed healthy in recent years, having missed 31 of 48 regular-season games since 2014, so he wouldn’t have much leverage if the Redskins were to insist on a pay cut.

Extra Points: Kaepernick, Bills, Panthers

The notion that Colin Kaepernick has requested $9MM-$10MM per year is “completely false,” a source tells Mike Florio of PFT. On Tuesday morning, it was reported that Kaepernick is seeking low-end starter/high-end backup quarterback money with a real chance of a starting job, which sounds out of range given his controversial views and lack of on-field performance. If Kaepernick isn’t seeking $9MM+, then we’re still left wondering exactly what he’s asking for. If he’s seeking a guarantee in excess of $5MM, then I believe he’s still looking for more than the market will give him.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • In Arizona this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked about Kaepernick and the accusation by some that he is being “blackballed” by the league. “I haven’t heard that from our clubs in any way,” Goodell said (via Ben Volin of The Boston Globe). “My experience in 35 years is that our clubs make any player evaluations, if they think a player can improve their team, they’re going to do that.”
  • New head coach Sean McDermott thinks the Bills‘ No. 2 wide receiver is already on the club’s roster, although he didn’t specify if he has a certain player in mind, tweets Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. While the Bills have eight wideouts behind Sammy Watkins on the depth chart, none are all that uninspiring. Corey Brown, Andre Holmes, Dezmin Lewis, Jeremy Butler, and Brandon Tate are among the pass-catchers currently on Buffalo’s roster.
  • The Panthers were willing to part with Kony Ealy via trade in part because of the team’s re-signing of Mario Addison, coach Ron Rivera says (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak). Of course, there was also matter of looming contract negotiations with Ealy.

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Colin Kaepernick Pushing For Starting Job

It has been widely speculated that Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed from the NFL. However, it doesn’t sound like that’s quite the case. The controversial former Niners quarterback doesn’t want just any job, he wants a chance to compete for a starting job with a salary “befitting a high-end backup quarterback or a low-end starter,” ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano hears. Colin Kaepernick (vertical)

That would put Kaepernick in range for a salary of $9MM-$10MM, Graziano writes, an asking price seems outrageous given his lack of performance and polarizing politics. As noted in the article, there are only five teams who could realistically offer Kaepernick a chance to start – the Browns, Jets, Texans, Broncos, and 49ers. However, there’s no way the Niners are going back down that road and the Jets don’t seem likely given owner Woody Johnson’s relationship with the president. If Tony Romo wants to continue playing and secures his release, he could wind up with either Houston or Denver, taking another team off the already narrow list.

Ultimately, Kaepernick will have to dial down his expectations if he hopes to land a deal for the coming year. He might not get to compete for a starting job and he certainly won’t be paid like a starter. The reality is that multiple teams have probably crossed him off the list over fear of him becoming a locker room distraction. With less suitors in the mix, the price naturally drops for any remaining clubs with interest. Until he’s willing to settle for less, Kaepernick will remain unemployed.

Latest On Colin Kaepernick

While it’s possible that free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s polarizing views have contributed to his inability to find a job this offseason, at least one team wouldn’t let his politics stand in the way of a deal. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam revealed Monday that he’d be open to adding Kaepernick, reports Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com.

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“If football people came and recommended [him], we’d go with the football people,” said Haslam, though he noted that he and his co-owner and wife, Dee, “have not been involved in any conversations regarding Colin Kaepernick.”

Head coach Hue Jackson has chased Kaepernick in the past, and the Browns’ current veteran QB – Brock Osweiler – might not be on their roster next season. However, Jackson echoed Haslam’s sentiment in telling the NFL Network on Monday that the Browns haven’t had “any discussion” regarding Kaepernick.

Like the Browns, the Broncos also gone after Kaepernick before, but they no longer view him as a fit for their offense (and they like the QBs they have on hand), according to general manager John Elway (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today). The potentially backup-needy Lions don’t think Kaepernick is a match for their system, either, per GM Bob Quinn (Twitter link via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).

Having drawn no interest from teams in need of a No. 1 passer, it’s clear the 29-year-old Kaepernick, a longtime starter, will have to settle for a reserve role – if anyone signs him. One team that could be in the market for a backup is Seattle, whose No. 2 option, Trevone Boykin, is facing two misdemeanor charges stemming from a weekend arrest.

The 23-year-old Boykin could easily continue with the Seahawks, but it’s worth noting that Kaepernick has a high opinion of head coach Pete Carroll, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The two are quite familiar with each other, of course, as Kaepernick spent the first six years of his career with NFC West rival San Francisco and engaged in some memorable tilts with the Seahawks when he was a quality starter and the 49ers were contenders. It’s unclear, though, if Carroll is bullish on Kaepernick or if he’d be willing to ditch Boykin. What is clear, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, is that the Seahawks don’t want to invest much money in a backup for Russell Wilson. That could rule out any chance of a Kaepernick-Seahawks union.

Extra Points: Kaepernick, Butler, Panthers, Ravens

Some assorted notes from around the NFL…

  • Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News believes the Jets haven’t pursued quarterback Colin Kaepernick because he doesn’t fit their offensive system. If the team preferred a backup who can fit their scheme, Mehta believes the Jets would be better re-signing Geno Smith. Ultimately, the writer believes Kaepernick would be a good fit with the Seahawks, but the organization hasn’t expressed any interest in the signal-caller.
  • There has been “momentum” regarding a Malcolm Butler-to-Saints trade, and Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com believes the deal will ultimately happen. The pundit says the Saints and Patriots “are motivated to make it happen,” and it will be a matter of New Orleans meeting New England’s price for the deal to be finalized.
  • The Panthers essentially moved up eight spots when they dealt defensive end Kony Ealy to the Patriots, and general manager Dave Gettleman was perfectly happy with making that move. “It’s a heavy draft and it was an opportunity for us to move up. To you guys, eight spots doesn’t seem like much. But to me, it’s gold,” he said (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). “You’ve got to give up something to get something. You’re not fooling anybody anymore. There’s too much film available. We just wanted to move up and get another second-round pick. I think it gives us more flexibility.”
  • Former NFL executive Mike Lombardi says the Ravens could look to trade defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan. “I think Jernigan is a fabulous player, but they can’t afford to sign him,” Lombardi said (via ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley). The organization recently made Brandon Williams the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL, and they also have Michael PierceCarl Davis and Willie Henry competing for playing time.

CFL Team Holds Rights To Kaepernick, RG3

The CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats have added quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III to their exclusive negotiation list, a source tells ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert (Twitter link). It’s not clear if Kaepernick or Griffin are open to playing north of the border, but if they do, their rights will be reserved by the Tiger-Cats. Colin Kaepernick (vertical)

Kaepernick and RG3 are among the best free agent quarterbacks left on the board, but, for different reasons, they haven’t garnered a lot of interest from NFL teams thus far. Kaepernick is a lightning-rod for controversy who is years removed from his best work. Griffin, meanwhile, is even further removed from his salad days and barely played in 2016 due to injury. In time, I expect that Griffin will find work, but it’s possible that all 32 teams could avoid Kaepernick over fear of a locker room distraction.

The Tiger-Cats also own the rights to Johnny Manziel, giving them three big-name QB possibilities.

Jets, Josh McCown Progressing Toward Deal?

Josh McCown‘s Jets visit is continuing into Saturday, and the sides are progressing on talks. Contract parameters have emerged during this visit, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv.

With this powwow going “very well,” Vacchiano notes McCown may now lead the pack in the running to be the next Jets stopgap quarterback. Vacchiano confirms the team remains interested in Jay Cutler while also clearly stating the team has no desire to pursue Colin Kaepernick. A Cutler visit was expected, with the Jets reaching out to the 33-year-old passer this week, but it hasn’t occurred yet.

The 37-year-old McCown (he’ll be 38 by Week 1) profiles as another short-term option after Ryan Fitzpatrick previously served in that role. Cutler started in front of McCown from 2011-13 on the Bears and is viewed as the more talented player, so it would be interesting if the Jets opted to sign McCown before hosting Cutler on a visit. New Jets QBs coach Jeremy Bates coached Cutler in both Denver and Chicago but also instructed McCown during two of McCown’s three years in the Windy City.

Gang Green moved from Mike Glennon to Tyrod Taylor to Brian Hoyer, per Vacchiano, this offseason. Glennon’s price tag “scared off” the Jets, Vacchiano notes, before he received his Bears offer (three years, $45MM). The Jets were also open to re-signing Geno Smith before the Giants added him, per Vacchiano, who adds it’s unlikely the Jets use one of their high draft picks on a quarterback after having taken Christian Hackenberg in the second round last year.

The Cowboys are the other serious suitor to emerge for McCown, having hosted him on a visit. This came after Dallas tried to trade for the veteran passer in 2016.