Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has expressed his interest in joining the New York Jets’ practice squad. In a letter addressed to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, which was released on social media by rapper J. Cole, Kaepernick stated that he would be “honored and extremely grateful” for the opportunity to lead the practice squad.
The letter, dated September 21, 2023, highlighted Kaepernick’s willingness to assist the Jets’ defense in preparing for upcoming games against mobile and athletic quarterbacks such as Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, and Jalen Hurts.
The Jets have been struggling since losing their starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to a season-ending Achilles tear in the first game of the regular season.
Kaepernick’s letter outlined his understanding of the team’s depth issues at the quarterback position and proposed a different approach that would involve him leading the practice squad. He emphasized his commitment to getting the defense ready each week and his willingness to take on the role of QB1 in practice.
Furthermore, Kaepernick’s letter offered the Jets a risk-free contingency plan in case their current quarterback, Zach Wilson, does not perform as expected. Kaepernick assured the team that he has been consistently training for the past six years, maintaining a rigorous schedule Monday through Friday from 5 am to 8 am.
The letter also included references from notable figures within the football industry who vouched for Kaepernick’s character, work ethic, and ability.
The Athletic provided instant analysis on the likelihood of the Jets pursuing Kaepernick’s proposal. While it may be beneficial to bring Kaepernick in for a tryout, the Jets are unlikely to carry four quarterbacks on their roster.
Kaepernick played for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016, leading them to the Super Bowl in 2012. He has not played in the NFL since then due to his decision to kneel during the national anthem as a protest against systemic racism and police brutality. Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL in 2017, alleging collusion in his absence from the league. He settled with the NFL in 2019.
Despite not playing for several years, Kaepernick has expressed his desire to return to the NFL and had a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
With their starting quarterback injured, the Jets are currently seeking help at the quarterback position. Wilson, their first-round pick in 2021, has struggled in his recent performances.
It remains to be seen if the Jets will consider Kaepernick’s proposition, but it certainly adds an intriguing element to their search for a solution at quarterback.