Should the Minnesota Vikings take a chance on Colin Kaepernick?
By Adam Patrick
The free-agent quarterback is still out their on the market. Would he be worth the Minnesota Vikings bringing in to compete to be their backup quarterback?
Despite finishing last year with a passer rating of 90.7, quarterback Colin Kaepernick still remains unsigned for the upcoming 2017 NFL season. People can make excuses about his play being the reason why he is still a free-agent, but everyone knows that his performance in 2016 has absolutely nothing to do with him not having a contract yet.
Knowing the risk, Kaepernick made a bold move last year by standing up for what he believes in and not standing for the singing of the national anthem. Protests are not meant to make people feel comfortable and the quarterback’s actions certainly caused a variety of feelings among people across the nation.
But instead of being applauded for wanting to use his platform for the benefit of others in need around the country, Kaepernick has been given the NFL’s version of the the scarlet letter by the league’s owners.
Drew Mahowald of Vikings Territory raised an interesting question on Friday that dealt with whether or not the Minnesota Vikings should add the “controversial” quarterback to their roster. He thinks they should and he at least makes a pretty compelling argument for the Vikings to bring in Kaepernick.
"“He’s a crystal clear upgrade over both Keenum and Heinicke as the backup, which would relieve any pressure Bridgewater may feel to rush back in 2017 if an injury-prone Bradford misses time. And given Kaepernick’s current situation, a cheap one-year deal is likely all it would take.Plus, Kaepernick is a terrific fit in Pat Shurmur’s West Coast scheme. Speaking of West Coast system, remember Chip Kelly? You know, Kaepernick’s former head coach? Shurmur worked closely with that guy in Philadelphia for three years. It all just makes too much sense.”"
Even those who do not agree that Kaepernick is capable of being a starter at this point, it is very hard to argue him not being a more than capable backup right now.
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For 2017, Minnesota’s backup quarterback situation is more uneasy than a stomach after a trip to Taco Bell. If Sam Bradford goes down and misses a significant amount of time this season, the Vikings chances of success are minimal at best.
If Minnesota were able to sign Kaepernick to a simple one-year contract, like Mahowald said, it may be worth the team taking a shot on him and at least see what he can do in training camp and the preseason.
But despite the upgrade he could bring to the Vikings’ quarterback depth, it is still hard to imagine Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer wanting to add a player like Kaepernick who could potentially draw attention away from the team.
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Yes, Zimmer did support former Vikings running back and annual Parent of the Year candidate Adrian Peterson when he was going through his legal troubles in 2014. But with everything Minnesota has gone through since he was hired three years ago, Zimmer likely wants to do his best to ensure that 2017 is all about football and nothing else.