Fooch’s update: Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome with a sorta denial.
Statement on today’s report regarding Colin Kaepernick: pic.twitter.com/ubfpwVA35O
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 2, 2017
The Baltimore Ravens are interested in signing free agent quarterback Aaron Murray, according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, as they continue to look for options while Joe Flacco remains out with a back injury. The Ravens previously signed David Olson, then waived him and signed Josh Woodrum.
The team had discussions with free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, but Russini is hearing Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti is resisting the idea of signing him. And notably, Russini is hearing this is not the first time an owner has blocked a team’s pursuit of the quarterback.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh & GM Ozzie Newsome support signing Colin Kaepernick, but have met resistance from owner Steve Bisciotti per sources
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) August 2, 2017
Also to note this is not the first time an NFL team has wanted to add Kaepernick to its roster, but the move was blocked by the team's owner
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) August 2, 2017
There are endless football discussions to be had about Kaepernick, but the non-football side of things is piling up. If Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh think he can bring something to a competition with Ryan Mallett, that would seem to answer the basic football question.
Bisciotti said in a fan forum that he is not sure if Kaepernick can help the team win games. He said he was not a fan of Kaepernick sitting, but felt slightly better about him moving to taking a knee. Bisciotti said he spoke with Ray Lewis about it, and team president Dick Cass said the team has spoken with fans and sponsors about whether or not to sign Kaepernick.
I thought the Ravens would likely make sense, but as this situation plays out, it seems less and less likely we’ll see Kaepernick in a Ravens uniform. Of course, I can think of one reason the Ravens might choose to slow play this until next week. This coming Saturday, the Ravens will be holding an open practice and military appreciation event at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. The entire world has gone round and round about Kaepernick’s protest, and even though it is not against military servicemen and women, I could see Bisciotti not wanting to deal with questions at the event.
That being said, Bisciotti could have just decided he doesn’t want anything to do with Kaepernick, and this has just been strung along. I’m skeptical Kaepernick ends up with the Ravens, and if it plays out that way, I just don’t see him ever playing in the NFL again.