NFL Notes: Colin Kaepernick, Collusion Settlement, Kyler Murray

Colin Kaepernick

• Peter King reports that those inside the NFL felt “very confident” nothing was said by a league executive or employee that could be deemed as damaging enough to prove that the NFL colluded to not sign Colin Kaepernick. 
• King says that the NFL is coming off of a successful 2018 season and may have felt that it was best to spend the money to settle Kaepernick’s case and make it go away. 
• Another consideration is that whoever lost the hearing could have challenged it in federal court, which would have led to the creation of public records with detailed information about the grievance. The NFL prevented this from happening. 
• King thinks it’s unlikely Kaepernick ever plays again. 
• As for the rumors that the Patriots could have interest in signing him, King couldn’t find any confirmation of any interest from New England or owner Robert Kraft. 

Collusion Settlement

• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says that a number of factors point to Colin Kaepernick’s settlement being far less than the numbers being tossed around last week. 
• Florio mentions that Kaepernick may continue to seek employment with the NFL and if teams deny doing so, he could start a new collusion grievance, which suggests he didn’t get a massive payout. 
• A source with knowledge of the internal procedures tells Florio that payments by the NFL to Kaepernick and Reid did not require the approval of team owners. The numbers of the settlement are expected to be reflected in the Packers’ annual report. 
• Florio adds that multiple sources around the NFL have downplayed the settlement amount and a source with knowledge of the situation says the range of $60 million to $80 million is incorrect.

Kyler Murray

Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley estimates that  “85 percent, 90 maybe” of QB Kyler Murray’s passes came from the pocket last year. 

Riley added that Murray’s height won’t be a big deal for him in the NFL.

“Throughout all the years with both Baker and Kyler, I can’t ever remember there being a time where we said, We want to run this play, or use this scheme, or protect this way but we can’t do it because these guys are 5-10 or 6-foot instead of 6-4,” Riley tells Peter King. “It never really entered into the equation. I don’t think their pro coaches are going to think about it either.”

Riley mentioned that he would be “shocked” if Murray isn’t a top-5 pick. 

“I will be shocked,” Riley said, “if five players get their name called on draft day before Kyler.”