Colin Kaepernick hasn’t thrown a pass in an NFL game since 2016. Those football scouts and evaluators interested in giving the dual-threat quarterback a second chance had their chance today at the Michigan Wolverines spring game.
Because Michigan’s current coach is Jim Harbaugh, Kaepernick took use of his previous head coach’s relationship with the 49ers to throw during the exhibition effort’s halftime.
Colin Kaepernick awaits NFL door to open
Jim Harbaugh, Colin Kaepernick’s former NFL head coach, gave him a chance to throw during halftime of Michigan’s spring game on Saturday. Since becoming a free agent in 2017, the former NFL quarterback has gotten in front of NFL scouts for the second time.
I'm told Colin Kaepernick has informed others that he's open to accepting even a back-up QB role–if* that's what it takes–to facilitate a return to the #NFL, per league source. "You have to credit Jim Harbaugh that he's willing to help his former player to try to get back."
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 1, 2022
Coach Jim Harbaugh, who coached Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers, invited him to Michigan. He was joined by producer Spike Lee, who is working on a documentary on Kaepernick while he looks for a new job in the NFL.
Local news affiliate WXYZ reporter Jeanna Trotman spoke with him on the field regarding his decision to throw on Saturday.
He stated that he still feels he can help a team improve, win games, and is willing to accept a backup role if that is what it takes to get back into the league.
“I can help make you a better team, I can help you win games. I know right now that the situation likely won’t allow me to come in and step into a starting role. I know I’ll be able to work my way to that though and show that very quickly. So to the teams that have questions, more than anything I would say I’d love to come in for a workout. I’d love to sit down with you and have that conversation about how I could help you be a better team.”
Kaepernick spent time with the Michigan players while in Ann Arbor, and he was able to toss with Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara over the week.
On the field, Kaepernick informed Trotman that if an NFL team wanted him, he would be happy to undertake sit-down interviews and a workout. He hoped that this workout would demonstrate to scouts that he has maintained his fitness and can still play.
Odds for Kaepernick’s return
There’s no reason why a team shouldn’t treat him the same way they would any other player or prospect. Remove his name and anything you know about him as a person before evaluating his football abilities. Can he outperform any of the team’s current quarterbacks? Yes. There’s no way Kaepernick can be better than multiple backup quarterbacks around the league. He might even provide serious competition for the primary role, based on some of the current starters.
It may be claimed that this issue is actually about fan opinions and viewpoints. Some of them dislike Kaepernick because of his political beliefs and the fact that he kneeled roughly six years ago.
It is evident that Kaepernick has the ability to become a member of the NFL. Let’s take a look at Colin Kaepernick’s career statistics which include a 59.8% completion rate, 12,271 passing yards, 72 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and 2,300 rushing yards.
Kaepernick, on the other hand, may not be able to get another chance. A few tosses during spring break are unlikely to alter the course of history.