The crisis at quarterback at the New York Jets is growing apace with fans, pundits, former players and musicians getting in on the debate.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who shot to global attention in 2016 when he took the knee during the singing of the American anthem at NFL games, in protest against police brutality and racial inequality, has made contact with the beleaguered side.
He was both lauded and derided, with the 49ers ending his contract the same year.
The 36-year-old QB is determined to help the Jets out in their crisis moment, especially in weeks 4 through 6, as a relatively untested Zach Wilson will look to lead the stumbling team.
Kaepernick wrote a sincere, and humbling letter to the team’s GM Joe Douglas this week, as posted on his friend J. Cole’s social media. The music superstar posted it with the permission of the former 49ers QB.
The letter goes on to mention four highly respectable football figureheads that will vouch for his character, work ethic and ability.
He would go on and ask the Jets management team to contact any or all of Kaepernick’s first NFL head coach, Jim Harbaugh; Chipp Kelly, another of his coaches at the 49ers; Ravens head coach John Harbaugh and Raiders owner Mark Davis.
“I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad,” Kaepernick wrote. “I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week.”
He noted that the Jets face highly mobile QB’s in week 4-6 with Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts incoming.
Kaepernick suggested his presence would give New York’s defense “a truer read” on how to play that type of QB.
The former Nevada Wolf Pack player would go on to say he would assist Wilson as QB 1, and the idea is not the worst, especially considering the maximum a veteran on the practise squad can make is $20,600 per week.
Relatively this is small change and imagine if Wilson had Aaron Rodgers and Kaepernick in his corner, giving him tips on what lies ahead.
Rodgers suffered a cruel season-ending Achilles injury on his first snap in a Jets Jersey and is a great mentor for Wilson. If one is good, how about two for the money.
As the former San Francisco QB writes to the Jets GM: “Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and you’re not that impressed. Best case scenario, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal in the event you ever need to use it.
“In either of these scenarios, I would be committed to getting your defense ready week in and week out, all season long, and I would wear that responsibility with a badge of honor.”
Not the worst idea in the world.
