Colin Kaepernick just won't go away.
The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who hasn't played in an NFL game since 2016 wrote a letter to the New York Jets last week requesting to join their team as a quarterback.
Not the starting quarterback, not even the backup. The 35-year-old Kaepernick asked for an opportunity to be the team's practice squad quarterback.
Kaepernick penned the letter to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, which was posted on Instagram by his friend, rapper J. Cole, on Tuesday.
"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."
Representatives for Kaepernick confirmed to TODAY that he did indeed write the letter.
Kaepernick played six seasons for the 49ers, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2012 season and a trip to the NFC championship game the following season.
In 2016, Kaepernick began his protest against police brutality and systemic racism by kneeling for the national anthem, causing a politically- and racially-charged controversy that ultimately led to his demise from the NFL. He became a free agent following the season and hasn't signed with a team since.
In 2017, he filed a collusion grievance against the NFL alleging that teams conspired to not sign him to a contract, likely due to his controversial decision to kneel during the national anthem. He eventually settled the case in 2019.
Kaepernick has made numerous attempts to get back in the NFL, including reportedly working out for the Las Vegas Raiders last season.
The Jets have so far not issued a public response to Kaepernick's letter, and why should they? The team already has three quarterbacks on the roster.
This week, they signed free agent Trevor Siemian to the practice squad, and also have backup Tim Boyle behind Zach Wilson, who has struggled in two starts this season. Wilson is 0-2 with four interceptions and two touchdowns since replacing Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four snaps into his first season as a Jet.
Besides, as noted above, Kaepernick hasn't played an NFL game in seven years. He went 28-30 in 58 starts with the 49ers after taking over as the starter in 2012 following an injury to Alex Smith.
The Jets may be desperate to solve their quarterback issues while the season is still young, but it's doubtful they are desperate enough to take on Kaepernick and his baggage.
