“Just Need a Shot”: With Aaron Rodgers’ Season Exit Breaking Hearts, Colin Kaepernick Makes a Bid for His NFL Dreams

Fate might also work in favorable ways. Or so hopes former 49ers quarterback who has been a free agent since after the 2016 NFL season. The 35-year-old wishes to make a sensational NFL reentry and had his agent reach out to the New York Jets following Arron Rodgers’ untimely removal from the season owing to a torn Achilles tendon. 

Colin Kaepernick has an alternative identity, that of a political activist who has been a strong voice against racist discrimination, police brutality, and oppression in the country. His activism found its way into a full-fledged public demonstration during the 2016 season and has attracted polarizing attention from then on. 

Kaepernick believes in a possible NFL reentry with the Jets 

NFL insider Jordan Schultz recently shared, “I just spoke with Colin Kaepernick, who tells me his agent has reached out to the #Jets about his desire to make an NFL return. Kaepernick remains on the West Coast working out,” unveiling Kaepernick’s desire to return to the turf with the Jets. He apparently received a text from the former quarterback stating, “I just need a shot.”

Colin Kaepernick who has remained unsigned for more than six years is confident about his abilities to possibly fit into Rodger’s shoes. “‘Five, six days a week I’m still up at 4:30, I go get my training in. Yeah, that passion is still there and the ability is still there,” he had earlier told CBS News. 

During his time off from the NFL, he had a couple of tryouts with teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, and Seattle Seahawks but nothing positive came out of them. In his six NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick achieved a commendable quarterback rating of 88.9, amassing 12,271 passing yards and 72 touchdowns. With Kaepernick’s presence in the center, the 49ers were able to reach three consecutive NFC title games. Despite his impressive player portfolio, there is one crucial aspect of him that has kept him away from the NFL. 

What kept Kaepernick away from the NFL 

In 2016, Kaepernick sat through the playing of the national anthem during the 49ers’ third preseason game as a mark of protest. Kaepernick’s protests were aimed at addressing issues of inequality and racial police brutality. Many players have since joined these protests by kneeling, sitting, or raising a fist during The Star-Spangled Banner, while Kaepernick himself has remained unsigned since March 2017. 

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In 2017, Kaepernick filed a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that team owners conspired to exclude him from the league because of his national anthem protests. He later withdrew the complaint following an internal settlement with the NFL. 

Despite his political inclination, which has drawn both positive and negative attention, Kaepernick has had a great performance record with the 49ers. Should he be given a “shot” the possibilities of him proving his worth are higher than his odds of failing. Will the Jets oblige? Or will Kaepernick remain an NFL castaway? We are bound to find out shortly. 

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