There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Colin Kaepernick, and that has included assumptions about what the quarterback is looking for in a deal, and whether or not anybody is interested. Kaepernick has kept quiet, and all we have seen are various anonymously sourced comments.
We finally have somebody going on the record with something resembling details. San Francisco 49ers consultant, and noted sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards spoke with USA Today reporter Jarrett Bell, and told him that three teams have contacted him about Kaepernick since free agency opened in March.
“They’ve asked, ‘Can he play? Does he want to play?’ “ Edwards said. “The last question I can’t answer. The first question, absolutely. If Kaep makes up his mind, he wouldn’t only go in and make a team, he’d put pressure on somebody to start.”
Dr. Edwards said he has not spoken with Kaepernick since the quarterback opted out of his contract. However, since Kaepernick first took a knee, the two men have had a chance to speak about the implications of the protest. Dr. Edwards was the organizer behind the famous Mexico City Olympics black power salute protest, and is a go-to source for social issues.
There has been plenty of speculation about what Kaepernick wants. One reported suggested upwards of $8 million to $10 million a year, and a starting job. That has been since shot down, and Tim Kawakami reported on Thursday that a source told him, “Kaepernick to this point has had no serious talks with any team about a contract and has had no meetings.”
It would appear there are at least three teams doing something resembling background work with regard to Kaepernick. Worse quarterbacks continue to get signed, but it will be interesting to see what happens as training camp and the regular season approach. Given the lack of anything more significant in this process thus far, it seems highly unlikely we see Kaepernick sign before training camp unless a significant QB injury happens around the league.
If a team wanted to bring in Kaepernick for training camp, one would think he’d be signed sooner rather than later so he can get a playbook, and start working with new teammates. The lack of anything more significant at this point would seem to suggest he will be stuck waiting for something significant to happen in training camp. Maybe it’s an injury to a starter or key backup. Or maybe it’s a starter or key backup falling on their face and performing poorly.
Either way, the wait is probably going to be lengthy at this point in time, barring any drastic changes.