Chargers coach Lynn willing to give Kaepernick a chance
After NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said this week he would “encourage” a team to sign Colin Kaepernick, the question became who would show interest in the controversial quarterback.
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn answered that question Wednesday.
Lynn said the Chargers “probably” will try out Kaepernick, who hasn’t been offered a job in the NFL since he knelt during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police violence and racism.
“Colin definitely fits the style of quarterback for the system we’re going to run. I’m very confident in the three quarterbacks we have, but you can never have too many people on the runway,” Lynn said in a video chat with reporters.
“Kap was a Super Bowl quarterback, he was a starting quarterback in this league. I think it would be crazy to not have him on your workout list.”
It appears that Lynn is the first NFL coach to express interest in trying out Kaepernick since Goodell’s statement Monday that he would “welcome” a team signing the former 49er.
The coach said he thinks Chargers GM Tom Telesco and owner Dean Spanos would support looking at Kaepernick.
A decision on whether to sign Kaepernick would hinge on how he performed in a tryout and not on its potential political implications, Lynn said.
Kaepernick, now 32, has missed three seasons. He was one of the NFL’s leading QBs in 2012, when the 49ers went to the Super Bowl, losing to the Baltimore Ravens.
“I just think you bring a guy in, you work him out. You sit down and talk and pick his brain,” Lynn said. “Colin’s been a football player his whole life. He played in a Super Bowl. I know he’s got a high IQ at the position.
“I think it comes down to physical shape and his ability to do what he does. I believe you can figure out real quick where he’s at after an intense workout.”
The Chargers, who let Philip Rivers go to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, have three quarterbacks on their roster: former Bills starter Tyrod Taylor; Justin Herbert, the sixth overall draft pick; and Easton Stick, their fifth-round pick in 2019.
Lynn, who is Black, has spoken out about unequal treatment by police, and the subject dominated questions and responses during a 45-minute Zoom press conference Wednesday.
“Colin Kaepernick took a knee to bring awareness to the situation. I don’t think you can bring any more awareness to the situation right now. It’s not time to take a knee, it’s time to do something,” Lynn said.
CARDINALS QB MURRAY SAYS HE’LL KNEEL FOR ANTHEM >>
Quarterback Kyler Murray says he’ll be kneeling during the national anthem this season.
“Yeah, I’ll be kneeling,” Murray said Wednesday. “I stand for what’s right, that’s the bottom line. I call it like I see it. What’s been going on is completely wrong. I’ll definitely be taking a knee.”