Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL starting quarterback, wanted the Jets to add him to their practice squad as a mentor for Zach Wilson. After quarterback Aaron Rodgers' injury, Kaepernick wrote to the Jets about depth difficulties.
Despite his NFL success, many feel Kaepernick's unemployment is payback for his symbolic participation in social justice demonstrations.
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wrote a letter to his girlfriend that read like a breakup.
Kaepernick requested the New York Jets and general manager Joe Douglas to consider signing him for the practice squad after seven seasons on the NFL fringes.
Players on the practice squad cannot play in NFL regular season games. They usually emulate opposing systems to prepare the team's main roster for games.
Kaepernick, 35, thought he could solve the Jets' depth concerns with Aaron Rodgers out for the year with an Achilles injury four plays into the season.
Kaepernick wrote that he wanted to mentor Zach Wilson rather than compete with him. He didn't even want the backup slot, which most veterans want. The Jets declined.
The failure was only the latest twist in the story for a guy formerly believed by league insiders to have great promise, and many feel the QB was blackballed for his symbolic involvement in the most major social justice uprising in recent years. If you need a reminder, here's how Kaepernick joined the NFL.