It seems that Colin Kaepernick and Donald Trump are destined to be forever linked. The rumor out there, and likely a huge factor in Kaepernick’s settlement with the NFL in his collusion case, is that the owners don’t want to upset the president by signing the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback to a contract.
But Trump changed his tune, somewhat, Friday when asked about the possibility of a team signing Kaepernick.
“Only if he (Kaepernick) is good enough,” Trump told reporters. “If he’s good enough. …And I think if he was good enough, I know the owners, I know Bob Kraft, I know so many of the owners. If he’s good enough, they’d sign him. So if he’s good enough, I know these people, they would sign him in a heartbeat. They will do anything they can to win games. So I’d like to see it. Frankly, I’d love to see Kaepernick come in, if he’s good enough. But I don’t want to see him come in because somebody thinks it’s a good P.R. move. If he’s good enough, he will be in.”
JUST IN: Trump says he'd "love" to see Kaepernick in the NFL but "only if he's good enough" https://t.co/u3Elv53GWY pic.twitter.com/9QhaOTobEs
— The Hill (@thehill) August 9, 2019
That seems to be the go-sign for any team looking to add a quarterback. Of course, there are more issues than a Trump tweet storm when it comes to Kaepernick. While he undoubtedly has the talent to play in the NFL, he’s not a starting caliber quarterback and arguing that he’s better than some second-year guy on the Buffalo Bills isn’t really an argument at all.
Kaepernick would be a high-end back up and a boost to most NFL rosters in a position that’s more important now than ever. Would he accept that? Would he accept the money that comes with that position (i.e. not starter money)?
Do you want the #Eagles to sign Colin Kaepernick now that Nate Sudfeld is hurt?https://t.co/caxqbVLok9
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 9, 2019
There’s no official word on the amount of cash Kaepernick got from the NFL to settle his collusion case, but there were likely plenty of zeroes attached. That and his Nike deal should have him set for life, so how important money would play into a signing is anyone’s guess.
The real truth is, the more time that passes without Kaepernick in the NFL, the more likely he’ll never get the chance to return even if he wants to.
