The Jets added veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to their practice squad this week to add extra backup for Zach Wilson. They also received interest from another quarterback this week. That quarterback was Colin Kaepernick.
The former 49ers quarterback recently wrote a letter to Jets general manager Joe Douglas asking for a chance to join the team in the midst of their quarterback issues. However, he didn’t ask to jump right onto the main roster. He was willing to take a spot on the practice squad like Siemian ended up doing.
Buy Jets Tickets“I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I’ve heard that the backup spot is likely to be filled by a veteran quarterback,” Kaepernick wrote. “As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me; I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad. I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week.”
Kaepernick went on to write a number of reasons why his signing would help the team including giving the defense a “truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face in Weeks 4, 5 and 6 (Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts).”
Kaepernick isn’t saying he immediately needs to replace Zach Wilson but that this would give the Jets a “risk-free contingency plan.”
Kaepernick even added references to his letter, including Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, two of Kaepernick’s head coaches while with the 49ers as well as Ravens head coach and Jim’s brother John Harbaugh and Raiders owner Mark Davis.
Turning 36 in November, Kaepernick has not played in the league since 2016 for one reason or another. At this point, it’s hard to imagine he sets foot on any NFL field again let alone at MetLife Stadium.
