NFL announced earlier this week that it would invite coaches, scouts and executives from all 32 teams this Saturday to a workout for the now 32-year-old Colin Kaepernick who hasn’t played in a league game in the past three years.
However, many of the chief decision-makers on teams that might want to sign him, may not be able to come with most teams playing on Sunday and college teams playing Saturday. But Kaepernick showed excitement for the showcase opportunity.
He tweeted, “I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”
The Casino.org website says reports emerged on Wednesday that the tryout may have been intentionally scheduled on a date when many couldn’t come. Also, NFL refused attempts by Kaepernick and his associates to reschedule it. Moreover, the league announced that it would not publish a list of team officials attending the event, after initially giving hints that it would.
Bengals, Steelers Tabbed As Favorites
Although some odds have been posted by some US sportsbooks about what teams may sign top-name NBA free agents, and odds on soccer transfers are offered by European books, usually odds on NFL free agent signings are not posted by American sportsbooks.
However, earlier this month the winless Bengals benched starter Andy Dalton for rookie Ryan Finley to find out if he could be the long-term solution for the rebuilding team.
As the Steelers have already lost starter Ben Roethlisberger to a season-ending injury, second-choice Pittsburgh Steelers (+400) makes more sense as a destination. Although Mason Rudolph has guided the team to four straight wins, the offense was lacking, especially as running backs Benny Snell and James Conner have faced injuries.
The Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins are two teams which aren’t on Sportsbetting.ag’s board but could be interested in Kaepernick. Currently, the Lions are without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford due to a back injury. Meanwhile, Miami ranks second-last in over-all offense in the NFL.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported the teams expected to attend Saturday’s workout include the Lions and the Dolphins.
Signing Not Assured
It’s possible that Kaepernick remains unsigned after the weekend even with the NFL workout.
Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to a trip to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, is widely known for kneeling during the pregame renditions of the national anthem as a type of protest of alleged police violence against minorities.
After posting a 90.7 passer rating in 12 games back in 2016, he has remained unsigned. A year later, Kaepernick filed a grievance against the NFL, claiming owners colluded to keep him exiled because of his on-field protests. The NFL settled earlier this year with Kaepernick. But the quarterback received only a couple million dollars, significantly less than what he would have received in a free agent contract.
And although Kaepernick has stayed in shape since he last played, he has become older. As a quarterback who depended on his agility, if he seems slower in Saturday’s workout, teams may pass on him again.
