Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wrote a letter “I am honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead our practice squad,” New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas said in a social post published Tuesday. Said. Here’s what you need to know:
- letter has been published Rapper J. Cole posted on Instagramwith Kaepernick’s permission, the date is Thursday, September 21, 2023.
- “I’m going to do this with the sole mission of getting the defense ready every week,” Kaepernick said of leading the practice squad.
- Kaepernick went on to say that the Jets’ starting defense will need a “more mobile, athletic, versatile quarterback” against Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts, who they will face in the next three games. We can get accurate information.”
- The Jets have struggled since losing QB Aaron Rodgers, 39, to a season-ending Achilles tendon tear early in the first game of the regular season.
Kaepernick’s full letter
Joe,
“I hope this letter gives you some strength despite a less than ideal start to the big season,” he said in the letter. “I wish you, your staff and players all the best as you bounce back and play a great game this weekend.
Of course, I am writing this article in response to the unfortunate death of Aaron Rodgers. I know the desire this season was and still is to win a championship. To keep the team on Super Bowl track, they’ll need to fill as many Hall of Fame-sized holes as possible. At this point, Zach Wilson has been entrusted with that task and I wish him and the rest of the team all the best moving forward.
However, we know there is a depth issue at the position right now, and we’ve heard that the backup spot will likely be filled by a veteran quarterback. I would love the opportunity to fill that seat, but I am writing this letter in the hope that you can imagine a much different approach involving me. I am honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the practice team. I do this for the sole mission of preparing your defense every week. I believe that if I can play this role in a team, many things will be possible.
1. This allows defenses to more accurately handle the more mobile, athletic, and versatile quarterbacks they will face in Weeks 4, 5, and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, Hurts). You get the advantage of being able to read it. I am honored to be able to do this and take on this responsibility with as much dedication and passion as if it were the QB1 position.
2. This will allow you guys as an organization to really see where I stand in football in situations like games against elite defenses without putting competitive pressure on Zach. As a QB1, I understand the importance of keeping him confident and focused. If I were given this role within a team, all I would think about would be to increase that confidence in the interactions we might have.
In a perfect world for the Jets, Zach Wilson has found his stride and shown he can put together a team worthy of this championship and lead them to the Super Bowl. I believe a confident Zach Wilson has the tools to make that happen. However, just in case that doesn’t happen, we would be happy to provide you with a risk-free contingency plan.
I’m confident that if QB1 goes down, I have an elite QB option. However, I understand that there may be some understandable uncertainty from you and perhaps others about my playing ability. I believe this plan will allow me to make a significant contribution to the team as his QB on the practice squad while also giving you a low-commitment opportunity to evaluate my ability to serve in any other capacity you see fit. believe.
Worst case scenario is that I see what you have to offer and aren’t all that impressed. In the best case scenario, you’ll find that you have real weapons at your disposal should you actually need to use them. In either scenario, I will be dedicated to getting our defense ready week in and week out throughout the season, and I will wear that responsibility like a badge of honor.
Lastly, I would like to add this. Unlike many veteran QBs whose names are mentioned in the media, I have never retired or stopped training. My training schedule has remained the same for 6 years. Training on the field and in the weight room from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. I have followed this training schedule for the past six years without fail, hoping for an opportunity. I say this to give you some perspective as to where I am physically.
I have also attached a list of references within the league who vouch for my character, work ethic, and ability.
Thank you for your time.
Colin Kaepernick
References
- Jim Harbaugh — Michigan State Head Coach
– San Francisco 49ers Head Coach 2011-2014 - Chip Kelly — UCLA Head Coach
– 2016 San Francisco 49ers Head Coach - John Harbaugh — Baltimore Ravens Head Coach
- Mark Davis — Las Vegas Raiders owner
athletic Instant analysis:
Does this make sense for the Jets?
The Jets need to explore all their options at quarterback, and bringing Kaepernick in for a tryout wouldn’t be a bad idea, but the marriage probably won’t happen.
Kaepernick hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2016 — Todd Bowles was still the Jets coach and both Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith were still at Forum Park — and anyway. , the Jets are unlikely to carry four quarterbacks. Wilson and Tim Boyle likely aren’t going anywhere, and it’s unlikely they’ll add another after signing Trevor Siemian to the practice squad. — Rosenblatt
back story
Kaepernick played for the 49ers from 2011 to 2016, starting 58 games and posting a 28-30 record. He took over as starting QB after Alex Smith suffered a concussion in Week 10 of the 2012 season against the St. Louis Rams. Kaepernick went 7-3 the rest of the regular season and postseason, leading San Francisco to the 2012 NFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance. The following year, the 49ers reached the NFC Championship, Kaepernick’s first as a full-time starter.
The 34-year-old hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016, when he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest systemic racism and police brutality. He became a free agent after the season, but was never signed by the franchise, and some believed his actions on the sideline were the reason.
Kaepernick, along with former safety Eric Reid, filed a complaint against the NFL in 2017 under the collective bargaining agreement, alleging collusion in signing professional contracts. According to the filing, the league and owners “reveal for Mr. Kaepernick’s leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice, and for raising awareness of the special systems that still undermine racial equality in the United States.” “They conspired to deprive us of their employment rights.”
Kaepernick and Reid reached a settlement with the league in February 2019.
Kaepernick has expressed interest in returning to the NFL and worked out with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022, but was unable to sign a contract.
The Jets have been looking for help at the quarterback position since Rodgers’ injury. Wilson, the team’s first-round pick in 2021, helped lead the team to a come-from-behind win against the Bills that night, but is 0-2 since then. He has two touchdowns and four interceptions this season, posting a QBR of 26.7.
Must read
(Photo: Rick Osentoski/USA Today)
