Raiders Bringing in QB Colin Kaepernick for Workout

The Raiders are working out former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Kaepernick hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016, his last season as a starter in which he started 11 games. Kaepernick’s public profile grew beyond football in 2016 when he kneeled before games during the national anthem in protest of racial injustice in the country. Kaepernick went 1-10 as a starter in 2016 as the 49ers went 2-14 overall.

Before Kaepernick’s struggles as a starter in the NFL (he went only 2-6 in eight starts in 2015), Kaepernick posted a stretch of dynamic play at the quarterback position, including taking the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 in his first real shot as a starter. Kaepernick replaced the injured long-tenured starting QB Alex Smith in the middle of the season and didn’t relinquish the starting job. The 49ers would lose Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens 34-31.

Kaepernick’s impressive stretch of play continued through 2013 and 2014, as he threw for 3,000+ passing yards and ran for 500+ in both seasons, including taking the 49ers back to the playoffs in 2013 following their appearance in Super Bowl XLVII.

Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has recently been under scrutiny for allegations of creating a hostile work environment, recently expressed support publicly for Kaepernick returning to the league.

“I believe in Colin Kaepernick, and he deserves every chance in the world to become a quarterback in the National Football League,” Davis said. “I still stand by it. If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in or want him to be the quarterback on this team, I would welcome him with open arms.”

While it remains to be seen if Colin Kaepernick will sign with the Raiders, his workout is the first serious signal that he could be returning to the NFL, as an official workout with the Silver and Black is his first since he declined a lucrative player option to remain with the 49ers in March of 2017.

The Raiders current quarterback group includes ninth-year starter Derek Carr, Nick Mullens, Jarrett Stidham and Chase Garbers.