A respected NFL insider has claimed the Carolina Panthers should strongly consider bringing in quarterback Colin Kaepernick for a workout.
It won’t be much longer before we find out just what conclusions the Carolina Panthers have made regarding the quarterback position. Sam Darnold’s status as the team’s starter is borderline untenable after another failed season with the same flaws emerging, so it would be a major shock if the former USC standout got an uncontested run to the No. 1 job next time around.
The Panthers have left no stone unturned so far in their pursuit of an upgrade. Attempts to land Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson fell flat and there have also been inquiries made to the San Francisco 49ers about the potential availability of Jimmy Garoppolo.
There is also the chance Carolina goes down the draft route either at No. 6 overall or via a trade back if the situation presents itself. The team has also not ruled out the prospect of Cam Newton returning, although this does appear to be more unlikely with every passing day.
However, there is one potential option that is a little out of left-field, but intriguing nonetheless.
Colin Kaepernick has been generating significant headlines in recent weeks, stating his desire to play again and demonstrating his skills at various workouts and a half-time during Michigan’s spring game where his former coach Jim Harbaugh runs the show.
Now, Kaepernick has been out of action for a long time. It’s clear league owners have black-balled the signal-caller for his stance against social injustice, which was extremely harsh and something that’s seen the player become a force for good since his days under center ended abruptly.
Carolina Panthers should ‘strongly consider’ Colin Kapernick workout
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports recently stated that the Panthers should “strongly consider” bringing in Kaepernick for a workout given their current plight. This comes with no commitment, obviously, but the EMMY Award winner also laid out a solid example of the potential benefits that could arrive with such a move.
"“The Panthers should strongly consider working out Colin Kaepernick now. I remember when the Commanders weren’t initially keen on working out Adrian Peterson a few years ago. He went on to start 31 regular-season games for them. I’ll say now, what I said then—it’s just a workout.”"
Anderson has a point.
What harm could it do?
It’s also worth remembering that David Tepper was one of the only NFL owners that defended Kaepernick publically. The Panthers were the only team that signed Eric Reid after he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his teammate in San Francisco.
If those in power within the organization are not convinced by Kaepernick, then they at least gave him a fair shot.
This is all he wants, in all honesty.
Kaepernick hasn’t played a competitive down since the 2016 season when he completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 90.7. He also attained 468 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
This would certainly give the team’s fanbase with a sense of excitement and provide Tepper with the national exposure he craves. But considering what’s at stake for Matt Rhule after two consecutive five-win seasons, it’s a big-time gamble and one that he might not be willing to go through with.
As stated previously, there is no risk whatsoever in bringing Kaepernick in for a workout, at the very least. If the player impresses enough, then this could be his avenue back into the professional ranks after so long in the wilderness.