All the fervor has died down somewhat since Nike unveiled its latest “Just Do It” ad campaign featuring none other than former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The message of the ad was to “believe in something, even if it costs you everything.” Kaepernick believes his stance (or kneel, as it were) against police brutality in minority communities has cost him a job in the NFL. Back in the summer, Kaepernick sued the NFL for colluding to keep him off a team’s roster.
On Aug. 30, arbitrator Stephen S. Burbank ruled that there was enough evidence supporting Kaepernick’s allegation that he and the NFL could proceed to a full hearing. In spite of all that, Kaepernick apparently still wants to play in the NFL, but will anyone sign him? BetDSI has laid down some odds.
Will Colin Kaepernick sign with an NFL team in 2018?
Yes: -105
No: -125
The problem with Kaepernick and his supporters (especially those that don’t actually watch football) is he’s just not that good. They point to a Super Bowl run in 2012 and a solid 12-4 record in 2013, but ignore that he’s 11-25 since then as an NFL starter. Over his last two seasons, he was 3-16 and was benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert. We’re not talking about Joe Montana here.
I mean, Kerry Collins took a team to a Super Bowl. So did Rex Grossman. Crazy things can happen in years with a weak playoff field thanks to injuries and freakish outcomes. Trent Dilfer won a Super Bowl. Sometimes weird stuff goes down.
Congrats 2 my brother @e_reid35, all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract.
He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family. and communities in need. pic.twitter.com/TsZOaFycYT
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 27, 2018
No one with any real football acumen believes for even a second that Kaepernick is an NFL starter. What we all do believe is that he’s plenty talented enough to be a back-up quarterback in the league. In fact, I’d argue that he’d be a pretty terrific back up quarterback. Of course, I’d have made the same case for Tim Tebow and NFL teams ran him out of the league faster than Kaepernick can pop a squat.
There are plenty of reasons to go “no” on a Kaepernick bet. First off, even if the opportunity to join a team as a back up was presented to him, there’s no guarantee he’d take it. Right now he gets to walk the earth and speak with a loud voice about issues he cares about without revealing he’s not all that great at the sport that made him famous.
I reached out to @markgeragos, attorney for Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid in their collusion lawsuit for a statement or reaction to Reid being signed by the #Panthers. He sent me back only this picture. 🤷🏽♂️👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/7MZ7dwzyXM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 27, 2018
Secondly, signing with a team ruins his court case that the NFL is colluding to keep him out. It’s a case he’s probably going to win. While I don’t believe every team would want to sign Kaepernick if he hadn’t performed his kneeling protest, there are plenty that could use him that don’t specifically because of the protest and feared fan (and presidential) backlash. If Kaepernick signs with a team, his court case is over.
Thirdly, who could actually use Kaepernick as a back up? There are plenty, including the Dallas Cowboys, whose own owner, Jerry Jones, delivered Kaepernick’s best evidence in his collusion case when he revealed that President Donald Trump told him he was going to keep hammering on the protests in his speeches. “This one lifts me,” Trump reportedly said according to Jones’ deposition.
“He wants to play. He’s good enough to play. He deserves to play,” Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills on Colin Kaepernick.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) September 27, 2018
Until this court case is settled one way or the other, the only people paying Kaepernick will be Nike. I say “no” is easily the best bet here.
