By Miguel Rapetti
27 Sep 2023, 00:56 AM EDT
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick officially offered his services to the New York Jets after the unfortunate injury suffered by position starter Aaron Rodgers.
According to a letter Kaepernick sent to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, a position as important as quarterback can be filled with experience of his stature.
“I write in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know that the aspirations of this season were, and continue to be, to win a championship, so that Hall of Fame-sized hole will have to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on the Super Bowl track,” he began with the text. .
He later recalled that although young quarterback Zach Wilson can take over from Rodgers, they would need a replacement for a season that is just beginning and Kaepernick could guide the 24-year-old player in experience.
“Zach Wilson is in charge of this task, I wish him the best in the future. However, I know that there are turnover problems at the position and I have heard that the reserve position will probably be filled by a veteran quarterback,” he commented.
Colin Kaepernick, now 35, led the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII which they lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the 2012 season.
His personality transcended the protests against racism that he led in 2016 by taking a knee on the field while the United States anthem was being sung before the start of the games, a gesture that then-President Donald Trump did not like.
The NFL banned kneeling during the anthem and Kaepernick left the 49ers in 2017 to become a free agent, but he never found space on any team again.
Hence his decision to write this letter to the Jets in which he highlighted that his experience is a point to take into account.
“It would be an honor and a great thank you to have the opportunity to come and lead the practice team,” he added.
Kaepernick also pointed out that if Wilson is not the solution for the Jets, he is ready to lead them.
“I think Zach Wilson has confidence in himself and has the tools to do it. However, in the event that this is not the case, I would love to offer a risk-free contingency plan,” he concluded.