Adam Schefter, citing league sources, reports that the Seahawks had arranged for Colin Kaepernick to work out for them this week. However, Seattle postponed the trip when the quarterback declined to stop kneeling during the national anthem next season.
Schefter adds that Seattle still is considering bringing in Kaepernick for a tryout and no decisions are final.
The Seahawks reportedly contacted Kaepernick about two weeks ago to arrange a visit but after tentative arrangements were made and travel planned, the trip was unexpectedly scuttled over the Seahawks’ last-minute stipulation regarding Kaepernick’s anthem stance, according to Schefter.
Schefter says that Seattle wanted to know that Kaepernick wouldn’t kneel this season and he was unwilling to give that assurance to them.
- Ian Rapoport confirms the news and adds that the “tentatively scheduled” workout was postponed not because he said he declined to stop kneeling, but because they asked for his plan moving forward and how he would handle protests, but he did have a firm plan in place.
- According to Rapoport, the Seahawks’ brass including GM John Schneider and HC Pete Carroll want Kaepernick to consider how he wants to proceed on everything (not just anthem) and get together at a later date when his plans are formed.
- Charles Robinson reports that the Seahawks scheduled the visit for Monday, but backed out after Kaepernick wouldn’t stipulate to ending his kneeling during the anthem.
- Robinson adds that the Seahawks left the door open to starting over with Kaepernick, but he strongly disagrees with Rapoport’s report that kneeling wasn’t an issue here.
It’s interesting the report says the visit was “postponed” as opposed to canceled, as it implies that Kaepernick could still work out for Seattle at a later point.
Kaepernick actually visited with the Seahawks last year but left Seattle without an agreement. Since then, there had not been any reported interest in him until now.
The Seahawks could clearly use a backup quarterback, seeing as they only have Russell Wilson on their roster at the position.
It’s worth mentioning that Kaepernick has a pending collusion case against the NFL and a number of owners and coaches.
Kaepernick, 30, is a former second-round pick of the 49ers back in 2010. He was in the third year of his seven-year, $126.97 million contract that included $61 million guaranteed when reached an agreement with the 49ers on a restructured deal.
In 2016, Kaepernick has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 2,241 yards and 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, while adding 468 yards rushing. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 27 quarterback out of 36 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding the Seahawks and Kaepernick as the news is available.
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If that man chooses to kneel, it’s his right.
And everyone has the right to not hire him.
Not because of that. That’s called persecution. No one should be marked in sports for his beliefs, but for his game.
No not really people in public spotlight can’t use their position to promote their agenda. If organization “A” allows it then that’s at their discretion. He is entitled to his beliefs and his protest is a peaceful protest but he can’t do that on “company time.” Perhaps if he was better at his job his company would make an exception i.e. if he were Russell Wilson or Cam Newton he could probably get away with it.
You tell him Chug! And he can kneel in church or at home.
But its managements right to proceed with “business as usual”. Find your own forum.