Report: Colin Kaepernick Works Out For The Las Vegas Raiders
May 25, 2022, 1:48 PM | Updated: 1:48 pm
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is working out for the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday afternoon.
Kaepernick, 34, has not worked out for an NFL team since the quarterback began to protest racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem before each game during the 2016 season.
Per Schefter, Kaepernick’s visit with the Raiders will mark the former 49ers’ first meeting with an NFL team since he met with the Seattle Seahawks prior to the 2017 season.
Las Vegas currently has Derek Carr, fresh off of a massive three-year, $121.5 million extension, slated to begin his ninth season with the team in 2022.
Behind Carr on the quarterback depth chart, the Raiders have Jarrett Stidham and veteran Nick Mullens.
Kaepernick acted as San Francisco’s starting quarterback from 2012 through 2016, leading the 49ers to a 28-30 record as a starter while passing for 72 touchdowns and 12,271 yards over 69 games.
During the 2012 season, Kaepernick established himself as San Francisco’s X-Factor during the team’s memorable run to Super Bowl XLVII. The 49ers narrowly lost the Super Bowl by a final score of 34-31 to the Baltimore Ravens.
Since he became a free agent in 2016, Kaepernick has longed for a chance at getting back on an NFL roster–or even getting a chance to work out for teams that could give him a shot at proving himself worthy of a roster spot.
On the “I Am Athlete” podcast, Kaepernick made it clear that he doesn’t believe he will be a distraction to any team that gives him a shot.
“That 2016 season, my last year, my teammates voted me most courageous and inspirational player,” he said. “So, when you’re talking about the people that are in the building, that has never come out that I’ve been a distraction. That’s never come out that I’ve been an issue for the people I’ve played with.”
Colin Kaepernick on the “I Am Athlete” podcast – April 2022
After nearly six years of waiting, Kaepernick is finally working out in front of an NFL team. Time will tell if Las Vegas will be the team that gives the former standout another chance at the highest level of professional football.
