5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

BYKyle Battle15.2K Views
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Colin Kaepernick
NFL free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick remains unsigned although many teams can use his help.
When Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March, he probably didn't consider that it could be his last chance to make an NFL paycheck. Sadly, that could be the case (that didn't keep him from winning the NFLPA Community MVP Week 1). 
Last season, Kaep's national anthem protest sparked outrage nationwide. In an attempt to draw attention to social injustice, Colin sat and then kneeled during the Star Spangled Banner before his games. 
With the third week of the NFL season kicking off tonight, Kaepernick is still unemployed. Given his career trajectory, he’s looking to find a backup QB role although he could start for some teams now. Many teams look to place veteran players alongside up-and-coming talent to mold their impressionable young careers. Kaepernick is now in the position to do that. His career average, of 178 pass yards and 33 rush yards per game, along with his nine fourth-quarter comebacks and just as many game-winning drives, in addition to the fact that he throws almost two and a half touchdowns for every one of his interceptions prove that if this were in fact a meritocracy, Colin would be employed and probably playing the majority of the snaps. 
Unfortunately for Colin, NFL owners feel the off-the-field attention that signing him would bring, outweighs the value he provides on the field. That argument does have some legs but they're scrawny, I-skipped-leg-day kinda legs. Kaepernick's biggest downfall is his QBR, a rating that includes the timeliness of mistakes and being clutch. On a scale of 1 - 100, Kapernick's QBR was 55 last year, and 47 the year before that. That's still not as bad as Ryan Fitzpatrick's 45.4 last year, though, but you better believe he's still earning a paycheck. 
Mediocre quarterbacks fill NFL locker rooms every year but, in a space that seems to be driven by talent, silence is also secretly heralded as well. With Colin defying that silence and using his platform as a professional athlete, HNHH decided to take a look at five teams that should be looking to sign Colin Kaepernick-- not for the reasons you might think.

Buffalo Bills

5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

Tyrod Taylor is the unquestioned starter in Buffalo, but the number two signal caller spot is certainly not above reproach. With the offense already designed around Taylor's versatility as a QB, it can be argued that Kaepernick has more upside in that same offense than current backup QB Nathan Peterman.

Statistically, because Peterman hasn’t yet seen the field in a regular season game, Kaepernick obviously has better numbers and we have a better sense of what he can do on the field. In fact, we know that at his best, he can lead you to a Super Bowl.

Oakland Raiders

5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

With the money the Raiders just shelled out to Derek Carr, it's safe to say that he's not leaving The Bay anytime soon. Well, until the Raiders move to Las Vegas, anyway. And that's part of why it makes sense for them to look at Kaepernick. Kaep went to college in Nevada and has roots in Reno, not too far away.

The Raiders in Las Vegas creates the perfect scenario for Kaep to come off the bench and play level-headed, comfortable football, kind of like how he did when he took the Niners to Super Bowl XLVII: with low expectations, offensive weapons and a care-free attitude.

Cleveland Browns

5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

Because, why not? I mean, I’ll always contend that Cleveland is where quarterbacks go to die (this Cleveland fan agrees) but it’s still an NFL job. The Browns are currently led by rookie QB Deshon Kizer. The pinpoint passer with great legs is the latest in a long string of Browns quarterbacks, most of whom suffer at the hands of the lackluster offensive line.

With head coach Hue Jacksons’s ability to command the locker room and put his offensive weapons in good situations, Kaepernick’s natural ability, as well as his dynamic skill set as a runner and passer, make him the perfect mentor to a young player like Kizer. And when it becomes Kizer’s turn in the trainer’s tent, Colin could step in and provide a spark.

Jacksonville Jaguars

5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

First, Jags QB Blake Bortles is very average: he’s played in 48 games and has 53 interceptions. Kaepernick, on the other hand, has played in 19 more games than Bottles and has 23 less interceptions. With Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan leading the charge to bring the NFL to London, he should consider the benefits of adding a player like Kaepernick. While Colin still has a lot of people opposing how he chose to protest social injustice and police brutality, his standing internationally is very different. Plus, the threat of kneeling for the national anthem wouldn’t offend locals since they salute a different song.

At the end of the day, bringing a team to London that has a player on the forefront of social justice would not only sell tickets but would also endear Khan to the community as an inclusive owner.

Cincinnati Bengals

5 NFL Teams That Should Consider Signing Colin Kaepernick

After starting 0-2 with no offensive touchdowns, the Bengals fired their offensive coordinator Ken Zampese in order to address their quarterback issues. Many have called for Andy Dalton to be benched, but not in favor of former college champion and current backup AJ McCaroon, but rather some teammates are calling to give Kaepernick a shot. Both Dalton and McCarron have downplayed the situation in a show of mediocrity that would benefit from having someone like Colin Kaepernick thrown into the competition. Kaep won more playoff games in 2015 than the Bengals have in over 20 years.

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