Two NFL pundits say Colin Kaepernick would be a good fit with the Chiefs
During a video chat Tuesday with reporters, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was asked about Colin Kaepernick.
“As far as Colin being back in the league, I think he should have every opportunity to,” Ryan said, per a video from ESPN’s Vaughn McClure. “He created awareness for a situation that people, it’s taken some time, but people are becoming more active in terms of their response to it. I think from that standpoint, his protest is being heard at this point and it might have taken too long.
“But I think he should have every opportunity to have a job and to have a spot in this league.”
Kaepernick, 32, last played in 2016 when he had a 90.7 quarterback rating for the 49ers and he rushed for 468 yards.
If Kaepernick did return to the NFL, is there a team that would seem to be a natural fit?
A pair of media members think the Chiefs could be that team, in part because they have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. And not just because the Chiefs watched Kaepernick’s workout last November.
“Kansas City is the one place I could see it working. Maybe even Houston,” Fox Sports’ Doug Gottlieb said Monday on his radio show. “Sitting behind Pat Mahomes makes the most sense. It’s the best quarterback in the league. He’s coached by a guy (Andy Reid) who can really help him.
“Additionally, if Kaepernick wants to play football, think of all the Andy Reid guys that are out there. Doug Pederson, Matt Nagy, (Chiefs offensive coordinator) Eric Bieniemy eventually will probably get a head coaching job this upcoming year.
“There are plenty of Andy Reid family guys that are in the National Football League as coaches that would give you an opportunity to get another job next year. Andy Reid helped Michael Vick rehabilitate his career. I think Kansas City would make the most sense. Of course, it would be bad news for Chad Henne.”
Here is the clip:
Henne is the backup to Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs have two other quarterbacks on their roster: Shea Patterson and Jordan Ta’amu.
It’s not only Gottlieb who sees the Chiefs as a good fit. Charles McDonald, Senior NFL writer for the New York Daily News, listed Kansas City as one of three teams that would be a good landing spot for Kaepernick. McDonald also mentioned Henne.
Here is part of what McDonald wrote: “Right now, the Chiefs have Chad Henne as their backup quarterback. Henne hasn’t thrown more than 100 passes in a season since 2013, so it’s not like he has a real edge over Kaepernick in terms of recent playing time.
“Henne has thrown just five passes since the 2016 season.
“Right now, the best situation for Kaepernick is likely one where he can sit without the pressure of being thrust into a starting role. It’s safe to say that, barring injury, no one will be starting over Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City for a long time.”
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