Vegas gives Kaepernick a workout

OPINION Skills may be rusty but quarterback could help Raiders

When Colin Kaepernick emerged from silence this off-season and mounted what looked like another campaign for a shot at a comeback, eyebrows were raised around the NFL. Talent evaluators and coaches — even those once sympathetic to the exiled quarterback’s plight — questioned the timing.

Why, after more than five years away from the game and nearly three years after balking at the Roger Goodell facilitated tryout, was Kaepernick, now 34, talking comeback again, they wondered. Legitimate longing for a return? Publicity stunt with his latest book set to release?

Kaepernick had deviated from his typical operate-in-silence approach, given a handful of interviews and directed a pointed message at NFL teams.

“I can help make you better,” he said. “I can help you win games.”

The message remained consistent with the stance he had maintained ever since going unsigned in 2017 and getting passed over every offseason since. But not only were there questions of the legitimacy of his desire to play football and not just remind the world of his iconic and sacrificial stance against racial and social injustices. The other question involved whether anyone who really mattered — anyone with signing power — was truly listening.

Now, just less than two months later, it appears someone was.

On Wednesday, the Las Vegas Raiders brought Kaepernick in for a workout — his first since he became a free agent in 2017, and since NFL owners colluded against the quarterback because his peaceful protest of kneeling during the national anthem angered some fans and then-president Donald Trump, threatening their earning potential.

We can debate the intentions behind Goodell’s 2019 showcase, where scouts from all 32 teams were supposed to attend only for Kap to back out, believing the waiver he signed was designed to help the NFL avoid litigation for blacklisting him. But this opportunity seemingly passes the smell test, because of the team and when it’s taking place.

The Raiders are owned by Mark Davis, who is on record saying that if his coaches and general manager want Kaepernick, he would “welcome him.” Davis is a man whose father was always known for going against the grain and doing whatever it took to position his team for success.

Davis also owns a team that does not rank among the strongest at quarterback. Yes, the Raiders have a starter in Derek Carr who signed a three-year, $121.5-million (U.S.). extension. But to describe the Las Vegas depth chart of Nick Mullens, Jarrett Stidham and Chase Garbers as shaky would be generous.

The Raiders have invested heavily in fortifying new head coach Josh McDaniels’s roster at just about every key position, except quarterback. Team officials believe they have a roster worthy of a deep playoff run. But one blow to Carr would destroy all of those efforts.

So, after two days of off-season practices, the Raiders might have seen enough to know that they need more help. Which free agent has the physical abilities and resumé of a trustworthy backup? Colin Rand Kaepernick.

There were a lot of bad quarterbacks on NFL rosters from 2017 to 2021. And there are a lot of bad quarterbacks on NFL rosters today. So, even if the 34-year-old Kaepernick has a few inches of rust on him, he’s certainly not worse than the 64-plus quarterbacks drawing cheques as backups.

It appears that the Raiders finally are willing to admit this. They shouldn’t be alone in this admission. But it is what it is.