The NFL's most polarizing player, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, hasn't played a down of football since Week 17 of the 2015 NFL season. He's been everywhere else, though, including the face of Nike's latest advertising campaign and commenting on NFL players who continue to kneel in protest of racial injustice and police brutality.
In the midst of a collusion case that will determine if NFL owners have conspired to keep Kaepernick, who has a 28-30 record as an NFL starting quarterback, out of a job, the cultural icon's agent hinted that the 30-year-old could be returning to the NFL this season, and he mentioned two teams in particular.
In an impromptu interview with TMZ Sports, Kaepernick's agent Mark Geragos hinted that the free agent quarterback could be returning to the NFL.
"I would just say stay tuned... that next week, there may be some news."
Is Geragos politicking for his agent just to keep him relevant? Maybe, but it seems curious that he mentions at least one team explicitly and another by association.
"I've got two other teams that will remain nameless," Geragos said. "I'll just say this, if Al Davis was still alive... that's all I'm going to say."
So, could Kaepernick stay on the West Coast and join an Oakland Raiders franchise that isn't afraid to take on giant personalities? It makes sense from that perspective, especially with offensive guru Jon Gruden at the helm to use Kaepernick's unique skillset.
When rapper Meek Mill, who is writing a song honoring the black-listed NFL quarterback, was mentioned, Geragos makes it a point to mention New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
This comment by Geragos seems like a stretch, but at the same time, does it? The Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick are known for a unique, complex offense and adding Kaepernick might throw a huge wrench into the equation for teams game-planning against them.
This could all be hyperbole by Geragos, but there's no reason why Kaepernick couldn't get a job with his public image gaining positive momentum behind Nike's backing.
The former second-round pick out of Nevada has 12,271 career passing yards, 72 touchdowns against 30 interceptions, and an additional 2,300 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Despite the 49ers dismal record in Kaepernick's final season as their starter, he threw 16 touchdowns versus only four interceptions and had a 90.7 quarterback rating.
It'll be an interesting week, and if Kaepernick really does return, you can bet the media storm around the team that signs him is going to be at an astronomical level.
