Should Your Team Sign Colin Kaepernick, Version 2.0
A little over two years ago, I wrote a blog based on a simple question: should your team sign Colin Kaepernick? At that time it had been 620 days since Kaepernick had played in the NFL. That number is now 1414, despite several teams being put in perilous quarterback circumstances over the past two years. Kaepernick’s time away is the obvious biggest strike against him, but would he really be any bigger a risk than Trevor Siemian, Brandon Allen, Colt McCoy, Devlin Hodges, Ryan Finley, Dwayne Haskins, Jeff Driskel, Matt Schaub, Chase Daniel or Luke Falk? (they’ve all started this year)
In light of the NFL holding a workout this Saturday for Kaepernick, I thought this might be worth revisiting. Here’s every team ranked based on how much sense it would make for them to sign Colin Kaepernick.
32. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, Matt Moore, Chad Henne
If the Chiefs have their way, Pat Mahomes will be their starter for the next 15 years. Matt Moore and Chad Henne are serviceable career backups, which is more cover than a lot of star quarterbacks have. As much as Kaepernick is a good fit for/familiar with the West Coast offense, no point to the Chiefs brining him in.
31. Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson, AJ McCarron
Much like the Chiefs, the Texans hope to be set at quarterback for a long time with Deshaun Watson (thank the Bears for that). AJ McCarron is a better QB than several of the guys who have played this year, and I doubt Houston is looking to replace him.
30. Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr, Mike Glennon, DeShone Kizer, Nathan Peterman
This team does not need more quarterbacks. Nobody believes in The Peterman like Jon Gruden, and this is just a ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ scenario.
29. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill
The Saints have a pretty well laid-out succession plan. With Drew Brees’ career winding down, I’m sure it instilled a lot of confidence to see how well Teddy Bridgewater played in relief. The only issue for the Saints is Bridgewater is a free agent, and if he leaves they could be in a tough spot. But they’re certainly not adding a QB right now.
28. Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz, Josh McCown, Nate Sudfeld
Wentz has not inspired the sort of confidence this season that Mahomes or Watson have, but Philly is riding with him for the foreseeable future no matter what. With McCown, they don’t need backup help at the moment but they could be looking to upgrade in the offseason if McCown retires or moves on (again).
27. San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, CJ Beathard
Garoppolo is finally healthy and looks set to be under center in San Fran for a long time (despite having just lost his first ever game as an NFL starter). We’ve seen both backups log significant time, with Mullens looking the far superior option. There were rumors of them shopping Beathard (nobody went for that, shocking I know) but they’re probably fine with Mullens.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars
Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew, Josh Dobbs
Nick Foles is way overpaid, Minshew is way overrated, Josh Dobbs is fine I guess. Jacksonville could find themselves in a real tough spot if Foles struggles. There’s no reason for Kaepernick to get involved, nor would they be willing to invest more in this position.
25. Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff, Blake Bortles
Does anyone really know what Jared Goff is? He certainly looks like he benefited from a well-executed system last year, and is struggling now that everyone is wise to McVay’s gameplan. Bortles is Bortles. Goff is signed long term, and they’ve got a recent starter on the bench. It doesn’t add up to adding another QB.
24. Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton, Ryan Finley, Jacob Dolegala
Congratulations Bengals, you are now in poll position to select the college quarterback of your choice be that Burrow or Tua. Your backups, including Ryan Finley who you’re starting as an obvious tank move, are bad. Andy Dalton is leaving. Kaepernick might make you better, and you don’t want that.
23. Miami Dolphins
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen
Speaking of teams that are actively trying to lose…Much like the Bengals I don’t see either of their current quarterbacks making an impact next year unless they keep Fitzpatrick around as the eternal emergency plan. They and Cincy will almost certainly split Burrow and Tua, and the same rules apply here.
22. Los Angeles Chargers
Philip Rivers, Tyrod Taylor, Easton Stick
Philip Rivers is going to get to hang around as long as he wants, that’s the reality with the Chargers despite his age. Tyrod Taylor is a better backup than most teams have, and they just aren’t in the market.
21. Denver Broncos
Joe Flacco (IR), Brandon Allen, Drew Lock, Brett Rypien
So the Broncos are in a bit of a mess at the moment. Joe Flacco is on IR, and John Elway’s latest “QB of the future because he reminds me of me” Drew Lock has been banged up as well. Lock should be back soon, and meanwhile Brandon Allen is coming off a solid first NFL start in Denver’s win over the Browns. Could they maybe use some help? Sure, but Elway isn’t going to mess with his 7th attempt at picking the right QB.
20. New York Giants
Daniel Jones, Eli Manning, Alex Tanney
Daniel Jones is on his way to usurping Jameis Winston as the NFL’s biggest turnover machine. He looks terrible, quickly regressing after a promising start, but don’t expect Dave Gettleman to give up on him for several years at least. Kaepernick might make the Giants better, but the Giants do not care.
19. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorley
Lamar Jackson looks to be for real, and could be described as an even more athletic version of Kaepernick. Nobody can replicate what Jackson does, but Kaepernick would get closer than most. The issue is RG3, who is actually healthy for once, is also a solid option if the Ravens were looking to maintain offensive continuity should Jackson miss any time. I’d bet Kaepernick would be better than Griffin, but I can’t imagine the Ravens would pull the trigger.
18. New England Patriots
Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham, Cody Kessler
Jarrett Stidham’s first ever NFL pass this season? Pick-six. It’s still crazy to me that there’s no clear succession plan for Brady. Do the Pats think they’re randomly gonna hit the jackpot on a sixth-round pick again? I’d imagine they want the next QB they sign to be younger than Kaepernick, and they seem content to just continue on as if Brady isn’t 42 years old.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub
Matt Schaub is four years younger than Tom Brady, but he looks older when he plays. Sure, the Falcons have been kind of a train reck this year but Matt Ryan is one of the last people who should be blamed for that. If the Falcons *were* playing up to their potential, however, I think they’d want better security than Schaub. They aren’t going to sign Kaepernick, but they’d probably be better for it.
16. Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford, Jeff Driskel, David Blough
Jeff Driskel made his first start for the Lions last week and was...really mediocre. After a promising start to the year the Lions have faded fast and taken up their rightful position in last place in the NFC North. I don’t know what Detroit’s plan is, but Stafford is what gives them a shot in any given game. Without him they’re just a bad football team.
15. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion
The NFC North, on the whole, has some really awful backup quarterbacks. The Vikings are making a push for the playoffs, and the plan if something happens to Kirk Cousins is a guy with one career start in five seasons? Really? Cousins isn’t amazing, but an injury would kill Minnesota’s playoff hopes immediately. Kaepernick (among plenty of other QBs) would be a significant upgrade backing him up.
14. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen, Matt Barkley
The Bills are another interesting case of where Kaepernick could largely replicate the starter’s style of play. Josh Allen tries to do far too much with his athleticism and very strong arm, not having particular success with either. Yet, somehow, the Bills are in a position to make the playoffs. This means that Allen is in no risk to lose his job. Matt Barkely is just a really average backup QB, and I imagine Bills fans would feel much safer with Kaepernick on the sideline instead.
13. New York Jets
Sam Darnold, David Fales, Luke Falk (injured)
What a complete mess. Sam Darnold might suck and his backup options are worse. Darnold is still going to get time, and adding Kaepernick wouldn’t make this team any less terrible. Would they be crazy enough to draft another QB next year? I wouldn’t put it past them. This wouldn’t be worth anyone’s time. (*bonus note that the Jets owner currently works for Donald Trump*)
12. Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield, Garrett Gilbert
The Browns are who we thought they were, and by we I mean not you Browns fans. They are a perfectly average NFL team, which is a huge improvement on where they were a couple seasons ago. I have never heard of Garret Gilbert, but apparently he was out of the league for 3 years before being a backup last year in Carolina and now Cleveland. The Browns couldn’t do much worse, and Kaepernick has the legs to scramble away from that joke of an offensive line.
11. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray, Brett Hundley
Kyler Murray is probably going to be the guy in Arizona for the foreseeable future. They hope he’s their ticket out of the basement of the NFL they’ve occupied for the last several years. Any potential growth for this franchise would be stunted by Murray missing time, and the least you could do was have a backup who could at least keep the team playing to a similar level to minimize pressure on Murray whenever he was to come back.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush
Apparently Cooper Rush has been a backup in Dallas for three years now? The Cowboys are aiming to win the NFC East and consider themselves contenders. Yet their insurance on Dak Prescott is a guy who has three career pass attempts? I think Kaepernick could fit well in Dallas, that is if Jerry Jones was willing to sign him. If you do give Dak a dump truck of money, Dallas, please get him a better backup to go with it.
9. Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill, Marcus Mariota
The Titans, as I noted in a recent video on what the Bears should do with Mitch Trubisky, are in a weird spot. They’ve benched Marcus Mariota in a clear indication they will not be offering him a new contract. Ryan Tannehill, who’s been solid in the last four games, is also a free agent. They should not sign Colin Kaepernick now but they’d be a strong candidate to consider him this offseason, particularly if they are not in a position to draft a potential franchise quarterback. Their decision on whether to resign Tannehill also looms large here.
8. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers, Tim Boyle
For a franchise that was so well prepared for the transition away from Brett Favre, it’s shocking how poor quality Aaron Rodgers’ backups have been the past few years (Deshone Kizer, anyone?). Tim Boyle went undrafted out of Eastern Kentucky in 2018 and has not thrown a pass for the Packers. No offense to Boyle (who was lousy at UConn and then EKU), but if he has to play the Packers are going to lose. How on earth is that a risk they’re willing to take? Kaepernick, Jay Cutler, I don’t care. I actively root against the Packers and I’m still upset by their lack of a plan-B here.
7. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton (IR), Kyle Allen, Will Grier
The Panthers are in bit of a similar situation to the Titans. Newton isn’t a free agent at the end of the year but questions about his health make it impossible to guess if he’ll be back in Carolina (or anywhere) for Week 1 in 2020. Kyle Allen is a competent backup quarterback, but he’s not a starter. It couldn’t hurt to make Kaepernick their third QB while Newton is sidelined. I suppose this also depends what the Panthers value more at this point: pushing for a wild card spot, or a better draft pick.
6. Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson, Geno Smith
The one team who publicly admitted during the blackball period that they at least thought about the idea of signing Colin Kaepernick. They would have been a great fit, too, partially because of the football and partially because few teams would have received less blowback from their fanbase. Russell Wilson might be the MVP this year, and your backup plan is GENO SMITH? Thank goodness for you guys that it’s a penalty every time a QB gets touched.
5. Washington Redskins
Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy
For some reason, Dan Snyder believes that Dwayne Haskins is going to fix everything that’s wrong with this sorry excuse for a professional football team. Case Keenum is a free agent and definitely won’t be sticking around for any more of this shitshow. In pure football terms, this team is going to need quarterback help beginning next season at the latest. The problem is, they are run by Dan Snyder and thus will not go looking for it. I also can’t see Synder and Kaepernick getting along too well.
4. Indianapolis Colts
Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, Chad Kelly
It’s been a tough couple weeks for the Colts. At the time of writing Brissett is probable to play this weekend against the Jaguars, but in the meantime Brian Hoyer reminded us all that he is not a good quarterback. This team signed Swag Kelly, so they’ve already shown they’re willing to go out on a limb. Kaepernick is an immediate backup upgrade and would help the Colts sleep better at night should Brissett’s MCL sprain flare up again.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston, Ryan Griffin
Tampa are like Tennessee but way worse. Jameis continues to be a turnover machine and will not be resigned. Ryan Griffin has never played in the NFL. Kaepernick would immediately start on this team. The only reason the Bucs aren’t even lower on this list is because the two remaining teams still have a glimmer of hope for their seasons. Tampa does not. The argument for Kaepernick would be to bring him in, see how he does, and then decide whether or not to bring him back next season.
2. Chicago Bears
Mitch Trubisky, Chase Daniel
In the video I mentioned from last week, I laid out the various options for the Bears to fix the problem that Mitch Trubisky has created. I did not include anything about Kaepernick at that time because I assumed there was no chance of that happening. Well, here we are. Mitch has been terrible this season with the exception of last week against the Lions. He’s regressed, Matt Nagy doesn’t trust him, it’s not a good situation. The Bears’ defense is not going to be elite forever and has looked exhausted every week. They absolutely need to try something and there aren’t many options right now. They have a similar plight to Tampa with better playoff odds. If Mitch isn’t the future, what’s the worst thing that could happen?
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger (IR), Mason Rudolph, Devlin Hodges, Paxton Lynch
I originally did not have the Steelers this far down the list. Then last night’s game knocked some sense into me like Myles Garrett swinging Mason Rudolph’s helmet (in all seriousness, good to see he’s been suspended indefinitely because that was unbelievably dangerous even by the standards of this sport). Ben Roethlisberger: done for the year. Mason Rudolph: very bad. Duck Hodges: experiencing the Gardner Minshew effect and being given confidence because he has a cool name. AND YET the Steelers are still in contention for a wild card spot. I have literally no idea how that’s possible. They’d be better off trying to make an upgrade than hope Rudolph or Hodges magically become good. Sign Kaepernick now.
We now come to the issue of which teams have, according to the NFL, committed to attending tomorrow’s workout:
Arizona
Atlanta
Cleveland
Denver
Detroit
Miami
New England
NY Giants
NY Jets
Tampa Bay
Washington
Congrats to those last two for having some sense. As for the Bears and the Steelers, congratulations on wasting your seasons and being unwilling to try and salvage them.