Is Kaepernick Still In The NFL?

It’s been over a year since Colin Kaepernick last played in the NFL, and many fans are wondering if he’ll ever get another chance to play. Here’s what we know about his current status.

Why Kaepernick’s Protest Started

In 2016, then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick made headlines by kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. The act sparked a nationwide conversation about race and patriotism, and Kaepernick became a polarizing figure. He has not played in the NFL since that season, and many people believe that he has been blackballed by the league.

Injustice in America

Since 2015, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been sitting or kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against the injustice and police brutality faced by Black Americans. This peaceful act of protest has garnered a lot of attention and support, but also criticism from those who see it as disrespectful to the flag and to the military. Kaepernick is currently a free agent, and many people are wondering if he will be signed by an NFL team for the 2017 season.

police brutality

Kaepernick began his protest in 2016 to bring attention to police brutality and racial inequality. He has remained unsigned by an NFL team since he became a free agent in 2017, and many believe that his protest is the reason why. In 2019, Kaepernick and former teammate Eric Reid reached a settlement with the NFL, ending their collusion lawsuit against the league.

The NFL’s Reaction

Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, had a controversial 2016 season when he decided to kneel during the National Anthem to protest against racial injustice. This sparked a lot of backlash from the NFL community and fans, some of whom thought he was being disrespectful to the flag. As a result, Kaepernick is currently a free agent and it is unknown if he will be signed to another team.

Support

Since Kaepernick has been a free agent, a number of NFL players have come out in support of him, including Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett, Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Torrey Smith. In August, Kaepernick was included in TIME magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Criticism

Criticism of Kaepernick first arose in 2016 when he began sitting or kneeling during the national anthem as a means of protesting what he characterized as police brutality and racial inequality in the United States. Some interpreted his actions as unpatriotic, and he received considerable negative feedback from equal rights activists, NFL fans, and some public figures. Kaepernick was unable to find a new team after becoming a free agent at the end of the 2016 season, and many attributed this to his protests.

Kaepernick’s Current Situation

); In the 2016 NFL season, Colin Kaepernick, then quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, began kneeling during the pre-game playing of the United States national anthem as a way of protesting racial injustice in the United States. After opting out of his 49ers contract in early 2017, Kaepernick has remained a free agent, and no team has signed him to a new contract.

Free agent

On March 3, 2020, it was reported that the Seahawks and Kaepernick had come to an agreement on a restructured deal that would have paid him around $9 million to compete for the Seahawks’ backup quarterback job. However, hours later, the deal reportedly fell apart over a last-minute snag. Thus, Kaepernick remains a free agent.

Rumors of signing

It has been over a year since Colin Kaepernick last played in the NFL, but his name continues to be a hot topic. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback became a free agent after the 2016 season and has not been signed by another team. There have been rumors that he could sign with a team, but nothing has materialized yet.

Kaepernick’s current situation is that he is a free agent and has not been signed by another team. He continues to train and be ready for an opportunity should it arise. In the meantime, he has been active in social justice causes and has started a foundation called “Know Your Rights.”