On Thursday morning, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the Baltimore Ravens had some interest in signing former 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick — who has obviously made national headlines over the last year.
"Ultimately, it wouldn't surprise me if the Baltimore Ravens started talking about Colin Kaepernick."
-Adam Schefter pic.twitter.com/QJdHefKXXC
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) July 27, 2017
If you've been living under a rock — Kaepernick is without a job after opting out of his contract and putting together a mediocre 2016 season (2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions). Most assume the 6-year NFL vet isn't being signed because of his decision to kneel during the national anthem. (Most also assume he would have been released by San Fran had he opted into the final year of his contract).
I'm not one of the folks who is lobbying hard for Kaepernick to land on a NFL roster and here's why. Sure, I'm one-hundred percent in favor of freedom of speech and allowing individuals to pursue their rights and beliefs.
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The NFL is a private business and while it's admirable Kaepernick took a stance for something he believes in — he has to understand each and every consequence that comes with that choice. Inevitably, NFL fan bases are filled with folks from every walk of life. An NFL owner is going to be hesitant to bring in anyone that creates a divide between their tream and their fan base. Whether you love or hate Kaepernick — it's safe to say he will bring both positive and negative attention to any NFL team that chooses to sign him (if they ever do). It's a major risk and can be viewed as a distraction.
Ravens' head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged they were looking at Kaepernick, but that's as far as it went. With Joe Flacco nursing a minor injury, Baltimore did in fact sign a QB late on Thursday, but there's a 99 percent chance you've never heard of him.
Meet David Olson — who played under Harbaugh's brother Jim while he was at Stanford as a backup to Andrew Luck. Olson ended up transferring to Clemson and most recently played for the KC Phantoms of Champion Indoor Football (not even the top arena league). No offense to Olson, but has the quarterback market become that dry? Isn't there a McCown brother out there somewhere they could plug in?
I'd be really curious to know what madman Jim Harbaugh told his brother to convince him to give Olson a shot. In the meantime, Kaepernick remains searching for a team that will give him a chance.
