Colin Kaepernick Could Win Falcons QB Job? - Pro Football Talk

The former Super Bowl quarterback hasn't played in the NFL since 2016.

Jeremy Brener | May 26, 2022

The NFL world was buzzing Wednesday afternoon following the announcement that the Las Vegas Raiders were hosting former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and social justice activist Colin Kaepernick for a workout.

USATSI_18028912 — Rick Ostentoski/USA Today Sports

Colin Kaepernick

Desmond Ridder

Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since 2016, the year in which he made national headlines for his racial injustice protests while kneeling during the national anthem before every game. The action created a national debate and NFL teams opted not to sign him after the season when Kaepernick became a free agent.

Despite his efforts, Kaepernick has remained unsigned for five seasons, but the 34-year-old is attempting a comeback with the Raiders.

His comeback has mixed reviews, but Pro Football Talk believes Kaepernick could still be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and would possibly be the starter for the Atlanta Falcons.

That's a bold statement saying someone who hasn't played since Barack Obama was president could come off the street and start in 2022.

This isn't to knock Kaepernick's abilities, but to make a return after so long would be a challenge for him to start. He was underwhelming in his last year with the 49ers, conjuring a 1-10 record in his final season as the starter.

Even though Marcus Mariota hasn't started a game in two years, he's been a solid backup since his starting days in Tennessee. And rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder led his Cincinnati Bearcats to a 12-0 record and a College Football Playoff berth. If anything, the Falcons would appreciate Ridder's upside over Kaepernick's outdated experience.

Desmond Ridder

Marcus Mariota

Kaepernick was talented enough to remain in the league after 2016, even if it was in a backup role. There's even an argument that he could be in the NFL in 2022, but as a starter? He's going to have to prove it on the field before he earns a starting job.

Published May 26, 2022

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.