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There's a Real Possibility That Colin Kaepernick Could Be on an NFL Roster This Season

Feel free to read that headline again, because I struggle to believe it too. But with society experiencing an awakening of sorts in light of George Floydโ€™s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, we now live in a world in which the phrase Black Lives Matter is finally evoking action instead of fear. Suggested…

Feel free to read that headline again, because I struggle to believe it too. But with society experiencing an awakening of sorts in light of George Floydโ€™s death at the hands of Minneapolis police, we now live in a world in which the phrase Black Lives Matter is finally evoking action instead of fear.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

In the NFL specifically, commissioner Roger Goodell has finally admitted that the league did Colin Kaepernick dirtyโ€”without specifically naming Colin Kaepernickโ€”and earlier this week openly encouraged teams to sign the exiled quarterback.

โ€œWell, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously itโ€™s going to take a team to make that decision,โ€ Goodell said during ESPNโ€™s The Return of Sports special. โ€œBut I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that.โ€

And for those who believe that Kapโ€™s national anthem protests will remain a source of contention during the upcoming season, several notable players, including future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, have openly expressed their intent to take a knee this upcoming season. Mayfield, in particular, would be one of the rare white players to do so.

โ€œPull your head out,โ€ he responded to a fan on Twitter when asked about protesting during the national anthem. โ€œI absolutely am.โ€

He then doubled down on his stance on his Instagram stories.

โ€œEverybody so upset about my comment doesnโ€™t understand the reason behind kneeling in the first place,โ€ he wrote. โ€œI have the utmost respect for our military, cops, and people that serve OUR country.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s about equality and everybody being treated the same because we are all human. Itโ€™s been ignored for too long and that is my fault as well for not becoming more educated and staying silent. If I lose fans, thatโ€™s OK. Iโ€™ve always spoken my mind. And thatโ€™s from the heart.โ€

Say that shit, Baker.

So with the tide turning and white people finallyโ€”seeminglyโ€”giving a shit about the injustices that black folks endure on a daily basis, what sense does it make to continue to keep Kap out of the league?

It doesnโ€™tโ€”which is why NFL reporter Ian Rapoport reports that Kap is generating notable interest as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

โ€œThis is a big step forward, as ridiculous as it sounds,โ€ he told the NFL Network. โ€œJust canvassing the league, talking to several different head coaches, there is far, far more interest in Colin Kaepernick right now than there really has been I believe any time in the last three or four years.โ€

โ€œWhether or not Colin Kaepernick gets signed, I do not know. But the interest in potentially signing him to be a backup, to compete for a backup job, is very real.โ€

To that end, Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, one of only three black head coaches in the entire damn league, has openly expressed interest in giving Kap a workout despite already having quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor, Easton Stick and 2020 first-round pick Justin Herbert on his roster.

โ€œI havenโ€™t spoken with Colin, not sure where heโ€™s at as far in his career, what he wants to do,โ€ Lynn told reporters on Wednesday. โ€œBut Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system that weโ€™re going to be running. Iโ€™m very confident and happy with the three quarterbacks that I have, but you can never have too many people waiting on the runway.โ€

Admittedly, Kap will have significant rust to shake off, considering he hasnโ€™t played a down since 2016. But even so, heโ€™s still a much better player than some of these other โ€œquarterbacksโ€ being paid good money to hold a clipboard.

Iโ€™m cautiously optimistic, but I wouldnโ€™t be surprised if we finally see Kap back on the field this season.

Straight From The Root

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