INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL’s scouting combine has never taken place so close to free agency. So while reporters interview prospects and look forward to the draft, news about current players will also be
And on Wednesday, that news started with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
#49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's new agents, Jeff Nalley & Sean Kiernan, informed 32 teams yesterday that they rep him and he will be opting out
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2017
Back in November, when we thought there was a fifty-fifty chance Chip Kelly would return, it appeared foolish for Kaepernick to opt out of his current deal. The quarterback was playing pretty well, given his supporting cast on offense. Why would he want to throw his future up in the air.
Then Jed York fired Kelly and replaced him with Kyle Shanahan. The 37-year-old is indeed a quarterback whisperer. Although he and new GM John Lynch met with Kaepernick and Lynch had positive things to say about the meeting, the foregone conclusion around the NFL is that Shanahan wants to bring in a pure pocket passer to reboot San Francisco’s offense. Kaepernick, obviously, is not a pure pocket passer.
The question becomes which NFL franchise is going to welcome Kaepernick into their organization with arms wide open? No team is going to sign him and hand him the starting job. He’ll most likely be a backup wherever he ends up.
Some intriguing spots include Jacksonville, where Kaepernick could put the pressure on Blake Bortles to preform. I’d watch out for Arizona. Bruce Arians has always been a big fan of Kap’s strong arm and Carson Palmer has run into mother nature. There are teams who could roll the dice for a discounted price.
We already know cities such as Miami and Buffalo are going to be off limits. The fan bases for both teams spewed venom on Kaepernick’s name for his national anthem protest. There will certainly be other conservative owners unwillingly to take the scrutiny that comes with Kaepernick.
Barring something completely unforeseen, Kaepernick’s marriage with the 49ers finally appears to be over.